3️⃣ Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes strong changes in mood, energy, and activity levels.

A person may move between:

⬆️ High moods (mania / hypomania)
⬇️ Low moods (depression)
➖ Stable periods (balanced mood)

It is a real medical condition and is treatable, especially with support from the NHS and mental health professionals.

• At least one episode of full mania
   
• May also have depression
   
• Can be severe and may need hospital care
   

• Hypomania (milder high mood)
   
• Plus major depression
   
• Often mistaken for “just depression”
   

• Long-term mild ups and downs
   
• Less severe, but ongoing
   

During high phases, a person may feel:

✅ Very energetic or “on top of the world”
✅ Need little sleep
✅ Talk very fast
✅ Have racing thoughts
✅ Feel unusually confident
✅ Take risks (spending, driving, sex)
✅ Become irritable or angry

In severe mania, people may lose touch with reality.
 

During low phases, a person may feel:

✅ Very sad or empty
✅ Exhausted
✅ Hopeless
✅ Lose interest in life
✅ Sleep too much or too little
✅ Feel worthless
✅ Have suicidal thoughts

These are the same as major depression.

Bipolar disorder usually develops from several factors together:

🧬 Family history (genetics)
🧠 Brain chemistry differences
😞 Trauma or major stress
😴 Sleep disruption
💊 Some medications
🍺 Alcohol/drugs

It is not caused by personality or weakness.

With the right care, many people live full, stable lives.

• Mood stabilisers
   
• Antipsychotic medication
   
• Sometimes antidepressants (carefully monitored)
   

➡️ Medication is often the foundation of treatment.

• CBT
   
• Psychoeducation
   
• Family therapy
   

• Regular sleep routine
   
• Consistent meals
   
• Structured day
   
• Avoiding alcohol/drugs
   
• Stress management
   

• Calm music
   
• Mood tracking
   
• Relaxation routines
   
• Gentle exercise
   

Write each day:

📝 Sleep: ___ hours
📝 Mood: High / Low / Stable
📝 Energy: Low / Medium / High
📝 Stress level: 1–10

➡️ This helps spot early warning signs.

Getting help early can prevent crisis.

🚩 Sleeping less
🚩 Feeling “invincible”
🚩 Spending more
🚩 Talking nonstop
🚩 Irritability

🚩 Withdrawing
🚩 Loss of motivation
🚩 Hopeless thinking
🚩 Poor self-care

If these appear, contact your doctor early.
 

Get immediate support if someone:

❗ Feels unsafe
❗ Has suicidal thoughts
❗ Is very manic and reckless
❗ Is not sleeping for days
❗ Is confused or psychotic

In the UK:
📞 Call 999 (emergency)
📞 Call 111 (urgent advice)

Your safety matters.

💙 Bipolar disorder does not define you.
💙 With support, stability is possible.
💙 Many people live successful, happy lives.
💙 You are more than your diagnosis.
 

You are not alone in this journey.

If you’d like, my dear, I can next prepare:

✅ A website-ready Bipolar HTML page 

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes strong changes in mood, energy, and activity levels.

A person may move between:

⬆️ High moods (mania / hypomania)
⬇️ Low moods (depression)
➖ Stable periods (balanced mood)

It is a real medical condition and is treatable, especially with support from the NHS and mental health professionals.

• At least one episode of full mania
   
• May also have depression
   
• Can be severe and may need hospital care
   

• Hypomania (milder high mood)
   
• Plus major depression
   
• Often mistaken for “just depression”
   

• Long-term mild ups and downs
   
• Less severe, but ongoing
   

During high phases, a person may feel:

✅ Very energetic or “on top of the world”
✅ Need little sleep
✅ Talk very fast
✅ Have racing thoughts
✅ Feel unusually confident
✅ Take risks (spending, driving, sex)
✅ Become irritable or angry

In severe mania, people may lose touch with reality.
 

During low phases, a person may feel:

✅ Very sad or empty
✅ Exhausted
✅ Hopeless
✅ Lose interest in life
✅ Sleep too much or too little
✅ Feel worthless
✅ Have suicidal thoughts

These are the same as major depression.

Bipolar disorder usually develops from several factors together:

🧬 Family history (genetics)
🧠 Brain chemistry differences
😞 Trauma or major stress
😴 Sleep disruption
💊 Some medications
🍺 Alcohol/drugs

It is not caused by personality or weakness.

With the right care, many people live full, stable lives.

• Mood stabilisers
   
• Antipsychotic medication
   
• Sometimes antidepressants (carefully monitored)
   

➡️ Medication is often the foundation of treatment.

• CBT
   
• Psychoeducation
   
• Family therapy
   

• Regular sleep routine
   
• Consistent meals
   
• Structured day
   
• Avoiding alcohol/drugs
   
• Stress management
   

• Calm music
   
• Mood tracking
   
• Relaxation routines
   
• Gentle exercise
   

Write each day:

📝 Sleep: ___ hours
📝 Mood: High / Low / Stable
📝 Energy: Low / Medium / High
📝 Stress level: 1–10

➡️ This helps spot early warning signs.

Getting help early can prevent crisis.

🚩 Sleeping less
🚩 Feeling “invincible”
🚩 Spending more
🚩 Talking nonstop
🚩 Irritability

🚩 Withdrawing
🚩 Loss of motivation
🚩 Hopeless thinking
🚩 Poor self-care

If these appear, contact your doctor early.
 

Get immediate support if someone:

❗ Feels unsafe
❗ Has suicidal thoughts
❗ Is very manic and reckless
❗ Is not sleeping for days
❗ Is confused or psychotic

In the UK:
📞 Call 999 (emergency)
📞 Call 111 (urgent advice)

Your safety matters.

💙 Bipolar disorder does not define you.
💙 With support, stability is possible.
💙 Many people live successful, happy lives.
💙 You are more than your diagnosis.