From small-town girl to pop supernova, this queer singer-songwriter tops the charts and gives back, all while living with bipolar disorder. Editor’s Note: Since this story was originally published in October 2024, Chappell Roan won Best New Artist at the…

An award-winning novelist with bipolar disorder explains how medication protects his creativity by stabilizing the chaos of untreated mania. It almost never fails to happen. When I talk about my experiences with bipolar disorder at one of my book events,…

Learn why bipolar disorder causes disproportionate anger and how to distinguish it from everyday irritability. Key Takeaways _________________ Living with bipolar disorder can be hard enough on its own, and when anger becomes part of the picture, everything can feel even more complicated. It can come on suddenly, feel intense, and affect your relationships, your... The post Why Bipolar Anger Is Different appeared first on bpHope.com.

Guilt and regret can linger after a mood episode. Making amends without getting stuck in shame can help you move forward with self-compassion. Key Takeaways Ann R. knows that, even on her best days, it can be difficult to deal with the noise and chaos that comes with having a 6-year-old and 4-year-old twins. When... The post Letting Go of Guilt With Bipolar Disorder appeared first on bpHope.com.

Obsessive thinking and rumination can be overlooked symptoms of bipolar — here’s how readers recognize the signs and find ways to keep them in check. When it comes to a new idea or hobby, there’s a difference between having a healthy amount of enthusiasm for it and becoming obsessed with it. With bipolar disorder, obsessive... The post What Rumination and Obsessive Thoughts Are Like With Bipolar Disorder appeared first on bpHope.com.

Living with bipolar means feeling emotions deeply, but I’ve found ways to stay grounded when frustration takes over. I’ve lived with bipolar disorder for so long that I sometimes forget I have a mental illness. I have a successful job, a loving…

Racing thoughts, restlessness, and sleep changes — these signs can mean different things. Here’s how people with bipolar disorder tell them apart. Both anxiety and mania (or hypomania) are common in bipolar disorder, and their overlapping symptoms — such…

It’s easy to love the high of hypomania, but ignoring its risks can lead to dangerous consequences. Although both mania and depression have wreaked havoc in my life, hypomania is my Achilles’ heel when it comes to recovery.  It not only feels…

Irritability may signal an approaching mood episode, making early coping strategies especially important. Key Takeaways Anxiety and daily stress can make anyone impatient, but in bipolar disorder, irritability is often more than a reaction to everyday frustration. A sudden or unusual increase in irritability can be part of a shift into hypomania, mania, depression, or... The post Bipolar Irritability and Mood Shifts appeared first on bpHope.com.

Bipolar anger can take a toll on your relationships and well-being, but with the right tools and support, you can safely manage this symptom and reduce its hold over you. Key Takeaways Bipolar anger is a common but often misunderstood symptom of bipolar disorder. Intense irritability, agitation, or rage can occur during manic, hypomanic, depressive,... The post Bipolar Anger: Why It Happens and How to Manage It appeared first on bpHope.com.

Paranoid thoughts can feel convincing, but early recognition can help you get support before symptoms escalate. Paranoia can be a symptom of bipolar disorder, particularly during more severe manic or depressive episodes. It typically involves intense and irrational mistrust or suspicion of others. You may believe that you’re being targeted or conspired against. This symptom... The post Bipolar Paranoia Symptoms: Signs, Examples, and When to Get Help appeared first on bpHope.com.

Spring’s longer days and brighter light can raise mania risk, but sleep, structure, and support can help you stay steady. Key Takeaways ___________________ Spring is synonymous with renewal, romance … and, for some people with bipolar disorder, a return of symptoms. “It’s true that my phones do ring a lot in March,” says Chris Aiken,... The post Spring Mania and Bipolar Disorder: How to Protect Your Mood appeared first on bpHope.com.

The presence of anger in bipolar disorder — which can range from mild irritation to intense rage — adds complexity, but knowing more about it can help better handle this common symptom. Dealing with the ups and downs of bipolar disorder is challenging, and the addition of anger further complicates matters. The suddenness and intensity... The post 6 Things About Bipolar Anger You Might Not Know appeared first on bpHope.com.

Kintsugi, the art of mending with gold, helped me reframe success and see beauty and purpose in life’s broken pieces. I still remember the moment, more than two decades ago, when I picked up a mental health magazine in my psychiatrist’s sterile office: white walls, a battered couch, and a coffee table scattered with old,... The post Beautifully Unbroken: Living Fully and Imperfectly With Bipolar appeared first on bpHope.com.

The words we use to describe bipolar disorder — even to ourselves — can reinforce stigma or support stability and self-worth. Words are important. They express our thoughts, ideas, facts, and emotions. So when it comes to talking about bipolar disorder, using accurate language is essential. Inaccurate or misleading words can lead to misconceptions, confusion,... The post What You Say Shapes How You See Yourself appeared first on bpHope.com.

From impulsive sex to lasting shame, hypersexuality can be deeply disruptive. Here’s what people with bipolar disorder want you to know. Key Takeaways While reading an article about bipolar disorder and hypersexuality, a woman from Vancouver, British Columbia, was surprised to discover that it had been written by her very own psychiatrist. In all the... The post Bipolar Hypersexuality: Why It Happens — and What You Can Do appeared first on bpHope.com.

Expert insight on racing thoughts, cluttered thinking, intrusive thoughts, and focus problems, and what you can do. Key Takeaways What Are Racing Thoughts in Bipolar Disorder? Thinking difficulties are some of the most impactful symptoms of bipolar disorder. When paying attention, focusing, or concentrating requires significant effort, these symptoms can negatively affect how you function... The post Racing Thoughts in Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms and What They Feel Like appeared first on bpHope.com.

Anxiety and bipolar disorder often overlap. Here’s how to spot the difference and why it matters for treatment. Key Takeaways _______________ Anxiety does not always show up as obvious fear. It can feel like constant tension, racing thoughts, restlessness, or an inability to relax. If you live with bipolar disorder, those sensations can be confusing... The post Is It Anxiety or Bipolar Disorder? How to Tell the Difference appeared first on bpHope.com.

After decades of confusion, misdiagnoses, and struggle, I found the right treatment plan for my bipolar symptoms. Living with bipolar disorder can feel overwhelming and all-encompassing, but I’m here to tell you that hope is real: it’s treatable, and…

If the wintertime tends to bring about bipolar depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) could be to blame. Q. What is seasonal affective disorder, and how does it affect people with bipolar? Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) refers to a pattern of…

From racing thoughts to zoning out, bipolar disorder can make focus a challenge. Here’s what I’ve found helpful. Distractibility is a common symptom of bipolar disorder — one that can be frustrating and disruptive. The inability to focus can make even…

Finding stability isn’t always straightforward, and for some, bipolar symptoms remain difficult to manage despite treatment. Here’s what can help. Key Takeaways If you’re living with bipolar disorder and standard treatments aren’t bringing relief, your provider might use the term “treatment-resistant.” It’s a label that can sound worryingly like “untreatable,” a deeply discouraging prospect.  But... The post What Is Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Disorder? appeared first on bpHope.com.

If bipolar depression has you sleeping the day away but never feeling rested, you’re not alone. Discover why hypersomnia happens — and what steps you can take to feel more energized. When bipolar depression takes hold, it can feel like carrying an…

I didn’t realize I was self-medicating my bipolar disorder until my treatment changed, and the urge finally vanished. Editor’s Note: While alcohol may seem to offer short-term relief for anxiety, it often leads to a “rebound” effect, where anxiety symptoms return more intensely once the substance leaves your system. ______________ I used to pour myself... The post Using Alcohol to Relieve Anxiety appeared first on bpHope.com.