Bipolar Disorder: More than Just "Mood Swings

by Sarah Mohan, MS, CRC, MHC-LP, CVE, WIP-C

Bipolar Disorder: More than Just "Mood Swings"

A Beginner's Guide to One of Psychology's Most Misunderstood Conditions

If the internet has taught us anything, it's that every emotional experience now comes with a diagnosis.

Had a bad day? Depression.

Got distracted during a meeting? ADHD.

Changed your mind about dinner plans? Apparently that's bipolar disorder.

Not quite.

Few mental health conditions are misunderstood as frequently—or as dramatically—as bipolar disorder. Somewhere along the way, "having mood swings" became shorthand for being bipolar, which is about as accurate as saying a paper cut and open-heart surgery are basically the same thing because both involve skin.

​Let's clear things up.

So, What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by significant shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and thinking.

The key word here is significant.

We're not talking about being happy in the morning and cranky by lunch because someone stole your yogurt from the office fridge.

We're talking about episodes that can last days, weeks, or even months and can dramatically affect a person's daily life.

​Generally, bipolar disorder involves periods of:

Mania or Hypomania

Think of the brain hitting the gas pedal.

A person may experience:

• Increased energy
• Less need for sleep
• Racing thoughts
• Elevated confidence
• Increased talkativeness
• Impulsive decisions
• Feeling unusually powerful, productive, or invincible

At first glance, some of those might sound amazing.

Who wouldn't want endless energy and confidence?

The catch is that mania can become overwhelming and sometimes dangerous. People may take financial risks, make impulsive decisions, or engage in behaviors they wouldn't normally consider.

The brain isn't simply operating at peak performance.

​It's operating at full volume with the knob broken off.

Depression

Now imagine the opposite.

The brain slams on the brakes.

Symptoms may include:

• Persistent sadness
• Fatigue
• Loss of interest in activities
• Difficulty concentrating
• Changes in sleep or appetite
• Feelings of hopelessness

This isn't simply "feeling down."

​It's a depressive episode that can significantly impact work, relationships, and overall functioning.

What Bipolar Disorder is Not

Let's bust a few myths.

Myth #1: Bipolar Means Constantly Changing Emotions

Nope.

People with bipolar disorder don't typically switch between happiness and sadness every fifteen minutes like a malfunctioning Spotify playlist.
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Episodes usually last much longer than that.

Myth #2: Bipolar Disorder Means Someone is Unpredictable All the Time

Not true.
​
Many people with bipolar disorder spend long periods feeling stable, especially when receiving effective treatment and support.

Myth #3: Mania is Just Being Extra Happy

Also no.
​
Mania isn't simply happiness with bonus features.
​
It can involve impaired judgment, irritability, agitation, and behaviors that create serious consequences.

Different Types of Bipolar Disorder

Psychology loves categories almost as much as coffee loves Mondays.

​The main types include:

Bipolar I Disorder

Involves at least one manic episode.

​Depressive episodes often occur as well.

Bipolar II Disorder

Involves hypomania (a less severe form of mania) and major depressive episodes.

​People sometimes assume Bipolar II is a "milder" condition, but the depressive episodes can still be deeply challenging.

Cyclothymic Disorder

Involves recurring mood fluctuations that don't fully meet criteria for major manic or depressive episodes but still affect daily life.

​Think of it as a different pattern rather than a lesser experience.

Why the term "Bipolar Disorder" Gets Misused

The phrase "I'm so bipolar" has become casual slang for everything from changing outfits three times before leaving the house to wanting tacos and pizza simultaneously.

The problem?

It reduces a complex mental health condition to ordinary indecision.

Changing your favorite song three times this week isn't bipolar disorder.

That's just being human.

Possibly indecisive.

​Possibly exposed to too much good music.

Bipolar Disorder - The Good News

Bipolar disorder is treatable.

Many people live full, successful, creative, meaningful lives while managing the condition.

Treatment may include medication, therapy, lifestyle adjustments, support systems, and learning to recognize early warning signs of mood episodes.

In fact, many accomplished artists, leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals have openly discussed living with bipolar disorder.
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A diagnosis is not a prediction of what someone can or cannot achieve.

Bipolar Disorder - Final Thoughts

The next time someone uses "bipolar" to describe changing their mind about brunch, remember:

Bipolar disorder isn't simply having emotions.

It's not moodiness.

It's not indecisiveness.

It's a real mental health condition involving significant shifts in mood, energy, and functioning.

The more accurately we understand it, the easier it becomes to replace stereotypes with empathy—and confusion with actual knowledge.

And honestly, the world already has enough confusion.
​
Especially when it comes to brunch plans.

Sarah Mohan, MS, CRC, MHC-LP, CVE, WIP-C is a clinician at Healing & Growth Counseling. Having several years experience working in the field of mental health, she specializes in working with clients who are diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. Clearly distinguishing between the common term "bipolar" used in mainstream society from the diagnosis, she works with clients to better understand their moods, treat themselves with compassion, and find peace and balance in their lives.

*Be on the lookout for more Blogs from Sarah about Bipolar Disorder - next up will be one focused on treatment modalities!

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