Living With Bipolar Disorder: Navigating the Highs, Lows, and Everything in Between

Bipolar disorder is more than mood swings. It's a complex mental health condition that can shape how you think, feel, relate, and live. At Sea to Summit Psychiatry, we believe in meeting you exactly where you are—with expertise, curiosity, and compassion.

Whether you’ve been recently diagnosed or are exploring whether bipolar fits your experience, you’re not alone. And while the condition can feel overwhelming, there is a path forward—with treatment, insight, and support.

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by shifts between depressive and manic (or hypomanic) states.¹ These mood episodes affect energy, activity levels, behavior, and even your ability to function day to day.

There are several types of bipolar disorder:

Bipolar I: Includes at least one full manic episode, often followed by depression.
Bipolar II: Involves hypomanic episodes (less intense than full mania) and depressive episodes.
Cyclothymia: A milder form involving chronic mood fluctuations that don’t meet the full criteria for mania or depression.

In depressive phases, people may feel hopeless, fatigued, and numb. In manic phases, people may feel euphoric, impulsive, irritable, or unstoppable. This emotional intensity leads many to say, “I hate being bipolar, it’s awesome”—a phrase that captures the strange mix of power and pain that often comes with this condition.

Bipolar vs. Borderline Personality Disorder: What's the Difference?

One of the most common questions we hear is: What’s the difference between bipolar and borderline personality disorder (BPD)?

Both involve mood instability and emotional sensitivity, but they’re fundamentally different in how those symptoms show up:

  
      Feature
      Bipolar Disorder
      Borderline Personality Disorder
    
      Mood changes
      Cyclical episodes lasting days or weeks
      Rapid shifts within hours or minutes
    
      Triggers
      Often no clear trigger (biological cycles)
      Frequently triggered by relationships or events
    
      Self-identity
      Tends to be stable between episodes
      Often unstable sense of self
    
      Treatment
      Often includes mood stabilizers
      Often includes dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

Still unsure where you fit? You don’t have to figure it out alone. At Sea to Summit Psychiatry, we offer thoughtful assessments to help clarify your diagnosis and guide the best treatment path.

Does Bipolar Disorder Get Worse With Age?

Bipolar disorder can change over time. Some people experience fewer episodes as they age; others may find that unmanaged stress or life transitions make symptoms more intense. Without treatment, repeated mood episodes can impact cognition, relationships, and overall functioning.

But here’s the hopeful truth: with the right care, bipolar disorder doesn’t have to get worse. In fact, many people learn to manage their mood cycles, reduce the intensity of episodes, and live full, creative, and connected lives.

Treatment Options: Medication, Therapy, and More

Effective bipolar treatment is highly individualized. We take the time to understand you—not just your symptoms—so we can design a plan that makes sense for your life.

Common treatments include:

Mood stabilizers like lithium or lamotrigine
Antidepressants with caution (some, like Wellbutrin for bipolar disorder, may be used under careful monitoring)
Stimulants, such as Adderall, can be helpful in specific cases (e.g., with co-occurring ADHD) but need thoughtful prescribing
Ketamine for bipolar disorder: an emerging treatment that may offer rapid relief for treatment-resistant depression—especially during depressive episodes²

We also offer in-depth insight-oriented therapy, support for co-occurring conditions, and collaboration with other providers when needed.

Our Approach at Sea to Summit Psychiatry

We know that a diagnosis like bipolar can bring a mix of relief, fear, and confusion. That’s why we provide judgment-free, trauma-informed care tailored to your real-life needs.

One-on-one psychiatric care from Dr. Nate Miller, a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in mood disorders and integrative treatment
Virtual care across California and Colorado
Support for psychedelic and theraputic healing modalities when appropriate

We believe in helping you build a life that feels stable, meaningful, and truly your own.

Take the First Step

Whether you’re newly diagnosed, misdiagnosed, or simply looking for someone who sees the whole you—not just the label—you’re welcome here.

Schedule your free consultation to learn how we can support your journey with bipolar disorder.

References

National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Bipolar Disorder. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. Bipolar Disorder.
Diazgranados, N., Ibrahim, L., Brutsche, N. E., Ameli, R., Henter, I. D., Luckenbaugh, D. A., & Zarate, C. A. Jr. (2010). A randomized add-on trial of an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist in treatment-resistant bipolar depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 67(8), 793–802. https://doi.org/10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2010.90