Conditions we treat
Bipolar disorder
Living with the highs and lows of bipolar disorder can be exhausting and isolating — particularly when the pattern is not yet clear to you or the people around you.
Understanding it
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric condition, previously known as manic depression, that causes significant shifts in mood, energy and activity.
Depressive periods bring sadness, hopelessness and loss of interest. Periods of mania or hypomania — hypomania being the less extreme form — can bring elevated energy, euphoria or unusual irritability.
Recognising it
Signs and symptoms
You do not need to recognise all of these, and you do not need to be at your worst before seeking care.
During depressive periods
- Persistent low mood and hopelessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in most activities
- Fatigue and reduced energy
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Changes in sleep and appetite
During manic or hypomanic periods
- Elevated, expansive or unusually irritable mood
- Markedly increased energy or activity
- Reduced need for sleep
- Racing thoughts or rapid speech
- Impulsive decisions, including with money or risk
What these shifts affect
- Sleep
- Energy levels
- Activity and drive
- Judgement
- Behaviour
Our approach
How we approach bipolar disorder
Care is personalised. What follows describes the approaches available — what applies to you is decided with your clinician.
A comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, including a careful history of mood patterns over time
Medication management aimed at mood stabilisation, with ongoing review
Psychological counselling and skills training
Work to identify personal patterns and early warning signs
Lifestyle and routine support, particularly around sleep
Common questions
Bipolar disorder, answered
How is bipolar disorder distinguished from depression?
The distinguishing feature is a history of mania or hypomania. Because those periods can feel productive rather than unwell, they are easily overlooked — which is why the assessment looks carefully at mood patterns over time rather than only how you feel now.
Is treatment ongoing?
Bipolar disorder is generally managed over the long term, with the aim of reducing how often and how severely episodes occur. What that looks like in practice is discussed and reviewed with you.
Can this be managed by telehealth?
Care is available by secure video and in person. Your clinician will advise if any element of your care is better suited to an in-office appointment.
Other conditions we treat
Take the first step.
Request an appointment online, or call the office and speak to someone directly.