Bipolar spectrum conditions involve shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels that go beyond typical ups and downs. You might have periods of depression as well as times of feeling unusually energized, irritable, impulsive, or “not quite like yourself.”

What bipolar spectrum symptoms can look like

People experience bipolar conditions differently, but patterns can include:

• Episodes of depression (low mood, low energy, hopelessness)

• Periods of elevated or irritable mood (“highs” or hypomania/mania)

• Needing less sleep but not feeling tired

• Racing thoughts or talking more than usual

• Increased goal-directed activity or restlessness

• Impulsive decisions with spending, sex, travel, projects, or substances

• Feeling unusually confident, powerful, or “on top of the world”

Bipolar spectrum disorders include Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and related conditions. Getting the diagnosis right is crucial because it directly shapes medication choices.

How treatment can help

Treatment often includes:

• Careful, detailed diagnostic assessment

• Mood-stabilizing medications and sometimes adjunctive treatments

• Tracking mood, sleep, and energy over time

• Education about early warning signs and relapse prevention

• Collaboration with therapists and loved ones when appropriate

The goal is not to “flatten” your personality, but to reduce destabilizing swings so you can live the life you want more consistently.

How BLT Tele Psychiatry approaches bipolar care

At BLT Tele Psychiatry:

• We take time to review your full history, including past “highs,” not just depression

• We focus on evidence-based mood stabilizers and carefully consider risks and benefits

• We help you build a plan for sleep, structure, and routine, which are crucial in bipolar care

• We encourage ongoing therapy and support systems as part of long-term stability

• Lifestyle stability, including sleep consistency and structured daily rhythms, is essential for mood regulation.

All care is delivered via secure telepsychiatry to adults located in New York State.

If your mood has felt like a roller coaster—highs, lows, and everything in between—it may be time to explore whether a bipolar spectrum condition fits your experience and what treatment options exist.