Understanding bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mood condition in which a person experiences episodes of unusually elevated or irritable mood (mania or hypomania) and, at other times, episodes of depression. Between episodes, many people feel completely well.
During mania, a person may feel extremely energetic or irritable, need very little sleep, talk fast, jump between ideas, spend impulsively or take risks they normally would not. Hypomania is a milder form. Depressive episodes look like depression: low mood, low energy, loss of interest and sometimes suicidal thoughts.
Bipolar disorder often runs in families and usually starts in the late teens or twenties. Because the depressive phase may appear first, it is sometimes mistaken for depression alone, which is why a careful history matters.
Common signs
- Decreased need for sleep without feeling tired
- Unusually high, cheerful or irritable mood
- Talking fast, racing thoughts, many plans at once
- Overspending, reckless driving or risky decisions
- Inflated self-confidence or grand ideas
- Periods of deep sadness, fatigue and hopelessness
- Noticeable shifts in mood lasting days to weeks
Having some of these signs doesn’t mean you have a condition. A professional assessment helps make sense of them.
When to see a psychiatrist
Consult a psychiatrist if you or a family member have had distinct periods of unusually high energy and reduced sleep, especially if there have also been episodes of depression.
If someone is in a manic state and is unsafe, aggressive or not sleeping at all, or has suicidal thoughts during a depressive phase, seek urgent help through 112 or the nearest hospital.
How treatment works at The Peaceful Mind
Treatment aims to settle the current episode and, just as importantly, prevent future ones. Mood-stabilising medicines are central to care; blood tests may be needed to monitor some of them safely. Antidepressants are used cautiously, as they can trigger mania in some people.
Alongside medicine, Dr. Vibha Bhide focuses on psychoeducation: regular sleep, routine, avoiding alcohol and drugs, recognising early warning signs and having a relapse-prevention plan the family understands. Women planning pregnancy receive individual advice about medicine safety.
Talk to Dr. Vibha about bipolar disorder
In-clinic in Ravet or online · English, मराठी, हिंदी · Confidential
Questions people ask
No. Everyday mood changes are normal. Bipolar disorder involves distinct episodes lasting days to weeks, with clear changes in sleep, energy and behaviour.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Vibha A. Bhide — {{TODO: confirm review & date}}