My Family Thought I Was Just Moody - Turns Out I Had Bipolar Disorder

By Jordan Martinez, MA - Mental health advocate, former teacher, and author of “Beyond the Mood Swings: Living Well with Bipolar Disorder”

Content Warning: This article discusses suicidal thoughts, manic episodes, family conflict, and the challenges of bipolar disorder diagnosis and treatment.

For 23 years, my family had an explanation for everything.

When I stayed up for three days straight reorganizing my entire dorm room during finals week: “Jordan’s always been a night owl and a perfectionist.”

When I spent my entire paycheck on art supplies I never used: “Jordan’s just impulsive with money.”

When I crashed after a month of feeling invincible and couldn’t get out of bed for two weeks: “Jordan’s always been dramatic and moody.”

When I quit my teaching job via email at 2 AM after working there for only four months: “Jordan just hasn’t found their path yet.”

When I started three different graduate programs and finished none: “Jordan has commitment issues.”

My family wasn’t being cruel. They were trying to make sense of behavior that seemed inexplicable, using the only framework they had: personality traits, character flaws, and “that’s just how Jordan is.”

They weren’t wrong that I was moody. They just didn’t understand that my mood swings weren’t a personality quirk—they were symptoms of bipolar disorder.

This is the story of how “just being moody” nearly destroyed my life, how I finally got the right diagnosis at age 28, and what I learned about the difference between personality and pathology.

If you or someone you love has been dismissed as “just moody,” “dramatic,” or “unstable,” this story might help you understand that there could be something bigger going on—and that getting the right help can change everything.

The “Moody” Kid: Early Signs Everyone Missed

Looking back, the signs were there from childhood. But in a family where mental health wasn’t discussed and “moodiness” was seen as a character flaw to overcome, they were easy to misinterpret.

Elementary School: The Overachiever Phases

Age 8: I became obsessed with reading and finished the entire “Baby-Sitters Club” series (131 books) in six weeks. My parents were thrilled I loved reading so much.

Age 10: I decided I wanted to be a marine biologist and spent every waking moment researching ocean life. I could tell you the migration patterns of 47 different whale species but couldn’t focus on my math homework.

Age 11: The marine biology phase ended abruptly, and I crashed into what my parents called “a difficult period.” I cried easily, had trouble sleeping, and lost interest in everything that had excited me for months.

What my family saw: A bright, intense kid with passionate interests who sometimes got overwhelmed.

What was actually happening: Early hypomanic episodes followed by depressive crashes.

Adolescence: The “Difficult Teenager” Years

High school was a roller coaster that everyone attributed to “normal teenage behavior.”

The highs:

• Sophomore year: Started the school’s first environmental club, organized a fundraiser that raised $8,000, got elected to student council, and maintained a 4.0 GPA while taking 6 AP classes.
• Junior year spring: Decided I was going to be a filmmaker, spent three weeks making a documentary about local homeless shelter, barely slept but felt incredibly productive and creative.

The lows:

• Sophomore year winter: After the environmental club success, I became convinced I was a failure, stopped participating in activities, and my grades dropped to C’s and D’s.
• Junior year fall: Felt hopeless about everything, couldn’t concentrate on schoolwork, and spent most of my free time sleeping.

My family’s explanation: “Teenagers are moody. Jordan just feels things more intensely than other kids.”

My internal experience: I felt like I was living two completely different lives, but I had no language to explain what was happening to me.

College: When “Intensity” Became Concerning

College was where my mood swings became impossible to ignore, though they were still misunderstood.

Freshman year manic episode (though we didn’t call it that):

• Stayed awake for 72 hours straight during finals week, felt incredible energy and focus
• Reorganized my entire dorm room three times in one night
• Started dating three different people simultaneously (this was very unlike my usual self)
• Felt like I could do anything and was destined for greatness
• Talked so fast my roommate asked if I was on stimulants

The crash that followed:

• Slept for 16 hours a day for two weeks
• Couldn’t concentrate enough to read a single page of text
• Felt overwhelmed by simple tasks like doing laundry or going to dining hall
• Convinced I was going to fail out of school and disappoint everyone

My family’s response: “College is stressful. Jordan just needs to learn better time management and self-care.”

What I wish they’d known: These weren’t normal stress responses. The intensity, duration, and cyclical nature were red flags for a mood disorder.

The Young Adult Years: When “Moody” Became Destructive

By my early twenties, my mood swings were creating serious problems in my life. But without understanding what was happening, I kept making decisions during mood episodes that I’d regret later.

The Teaching Job Disaster

August 2019: I started my dream job teaching high school English. I was 26, fresh out of my master’s program, and excited to change young minds.

September-October (hypomanic episode):

• Stayed up until 2 AM every night creating elaborate lesson plans and classroom decorations
• Volunteered to sponsor three extra-curricular activities
• Started a blog about innovative teaching methods
• Felt like I was going to revolutionize education
• Talked constantly in faculty meetings about my ideas for improving the school

November-December (mixed episode):

• Energy remained high but mood became irritable and anxious
• Got into conflicts with veteran teachers who I thought were “stuck in the past”
• Became convinced the administration was undermining my efforts
• Started feeling paranoid that colleagues were talking about me
• Continued working excessively but felt increasingly miserable

January (depression crash):

• Could barely drag myself to school each morning
• Lesson planning felt overwhelming and impossible
• Called in sick 8 days in one month
• Felt like a complete failure as a teacher
• Couldn’t connect with students anymore

February (impulsive decision during mixed state): At 2:47 AM on a Tuesday, I sent an email to my principal: “I resign effective immediately. This job isn’t the right fit for me. Please don’t contact me about this decision.”

My family’s reaction: “Jordan always rushes into things and then changes their mind. They just need to find the right career path.”

The reality: I loved teaching and was actually quite good at it. But bipolar disorder made it impossible to maintain consistent performance and judgment.

The Graduate School Saga

Attempt #1: PhD in Literature (2020)

• Manic application phase: Applied to 15 programs, wrote brilliant personal statements, was accepted to several top programs
• Depressive reality phase: Realized I couldn’t handle the coursework when I couldn’t even read a single journal article during my first semester
• Withdrew after 4 months

Attempt #2: Master’s in Social Work (2021)

• Hypomanic phase: Convinced this was my true calling, fascinated by every class, maintaining 4.0 GPA
• Depressive phase: Field placement became overwhelming, couldn’t connect with clients, felt like I was failing everyone
• Withdrew after 1 year

Attempt #3: Certificate in Web Design (2022)

• Manic phase: Taught myself HTML and CSS in two weeks, stayed up for days building websites, felt like I’d found my passion
• Depression: Code stopped making sense, projects felt impossible to complete
• Never finished the program

Family narrative: “Jordan is smart but has trouble sticking with things. They just need to find what they’re passionate about.”

What was actually happening: I was making major life decisions during mood episodes, when my judgment, energy levels, and interests were severely distorted.

The Misdiagnosis Years: Wrong Treatment, Worse Symptoms

At 24, after the teaching job disaster, I finally sought mental health treatment. But getting the wrong diagnosis made things worse before they got better.

First Therapist: “You Have Depression and Anxiety”

Dr. Stevens (psychiatrist): “Based on your symptoms of sadness, hopelessness, and periods of worry, I’m diagnosing you with Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder.”

Prescribed: Zoloft (antidepressant) 50mg

What I didn’t mention (because I didn’t think it was relevant):

• The periods of high energy and productivity
• How good I felt during my “up” periods
• That my depression came in distinct episodes rather than being constant
• The impulsive decisions and spending sprees
• How my sleep needs varied dramatically

Why I didn’t mention these things:

• I thought the “good” periods were just my normal personality
• I was ashamed of the impulsive behaviors and didn’t want to admit them
• I didn’t understand that mania/hypomania was part of a mental health condition
• I was seeking help during a depressive episode, so that’s all I focused on

The Antidepressant Disaster

Week 1-2 on Zoloft: Felt slightly better, more energetic

Week 3-4: Energy increased dramatically, felt amazing, thought the medication was working perfectly

Week 5-8: Full-blown manic episode:

• Slept 2-3 hours per night but felt completely rested
• Started four different creative projects simultaneously
• Spent $3,200 on art supplies and online courses I never used
• Convinced I was going to become a famous artist
• Talked so rapidly that friends asked if I was okay
• Made impulsive decision to move to Portland “to pursue my art career”

Week 9: Crashed harder than I ever had before, suicidal thoughts, couldn’t get out of bed for days

Dr. Stevens’ response: “Sometimes antidepressants can cause temporary activation. Let’s increase the dose.”

What actually happened: Antidepressants can trigger manic episodes in people with bipolar disorder. This is a well-known phenomenon, but it requires recognizing the bipolar diagnosis first.¹

Second Opinion: Same Wrong Diagnosis

After the antidepressant-induced mania, I sought a second opinion.

Dr. Park (psychologist): “You clearly have treatment-resistant depression. The manic episode was probably just a reaction to medication. Let’s try therapy and a different antidepressant.”

New treatment plan:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for depression
• Wellbutrin instead of Zoloft
• “Mood journal” to track depressive symptoms

Why this approach failed:

• CBT for depression doesn’t address mania or hypomania
• Wellbutrin can also trigger mania in bipolar patients
• The mood journal only tracked depression symptoms, not elevated moods
• No one was looking at the cyclical pattern of my symptoms

The result: Another medication-induced manic episode followed by severe depression.

The Breaking Point: When “Moody” Became Life-Threatening

By age 28, my untreated bipolar disorder had cost me:

• Three different career paths
• Multiple educational opportunities
• Thousands of dollars in impulsive spending
• Several important relationships
• My sense of self and confidence in my judgment

But it was the suicidal depression that finally got everyone’s attention.

The Episode That Changed Everything

March 2024: After another medication-induced manic episode (this time on Lexapro), I crashed into the worst depression of my life.

The symptoms:

• Couldn’t get out of bed for 12 days straight
• Convinced I was a burden to everyone who loved me
• Felt hopeless about ever being stable or functional
• Had detailed plans for ending my life
• Couldn’t see any future where I wasn’t miserable

What made this different: I called my sister and told her about the suicidal thoughts.

Her response: “Jordan, this isn’t just being moody anymore. Something is really wrong, and we need to get you help immediately.”

That phone call saved my life.

The Emergency Department Visit

My sister drove me to the ER, where I met Dr. Christina Rodriguez, the psychiatrist who would finally give me answers.

Dr. Rodriguez: “Tell me about your history with antidepressants.”

Me: “They seem to help at first, but then I get really energetic and make impulsive decisions, and then I crash harder than before.”

Dr. Rodriguez: “Tell me about those energetic periods. How long do they last? What’s your sleep like? What kinds of decisions do you make?”

Me: “Usually 2-4 weeks. I barely sleep but feel great. I start new projects, spend money I don’t have, feel like I can do anything. Why?”

Dr. Rodriguez: “Because what you’re describing sounds like hypomania. Combined with your depressive episodes, I think you might have Bipolar Type II disorder.”

Me: “But I’m not bipolar. I don’t have huge mood swings or go completely crazy.”

Dr. Rodriguez: “That’s a common misconception. Bipolar disorder exists on a spectrum, and many people have a form where the ‘up’ periods feel good and productive rather than obviously problematic.”

For the first time in my life, someone was connecting the dots.

Getting the Right Diagnosis: The Bipolar Spectrum Explained

Dr. Rodriguez spent three hours with me, going through my entire mental health history and helping me understand what had really been happening all these years.

Bipolar II vs. Bipolar I: The Crucial Difference

Bipolar I disorder:

• Requires at least one full manic episode
• Mania is severe: psychosis, hospitalization, complete inability to function
• What most people picture when they hear “bipolar”

Bipolar II disorder (my diagnosis):

• Hypomania instead of full mania
• Hypomania feels good and can increase productivity
• Episodes are less severe but still cause significant problems
• Often misdiagnosed as depression because people seek help during low periods

My Hypomanic Episodes vs. Depression

During hypomania, I experienced:

• Decreased need for sleep (4-5 hours felt like enough)
• Increased energy and productivity
• Elevated mood and confidence
• Racing thoughts and rapid speech
• Increased creativity and goal-directed activity
• Poor judgment and impulsive decisions
• Increased sociability and sometimes risky behavior

During depression, I experienced:

• Overwhelming sadness and hopelessness
• Fatigue and inability to concentrate
• Sleep problems (too much or too little)
• Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
• Sometimes suicidal thoughts

The key insight: These weren’t separate problems—they were part of one cyclical condition.

Why It Took So Long to Diagnose

Reason #1: I sought help during depressive episodes When you feel great (hypomania), you don’t typically go to a psychiatrist. You go when you’re struggling.

Reason #2: Hypomania felt like my “best self” The energy, creativity, and confidence were positive experiences. I didn’t think to mention them as symptoms.

Reason #3: Family history wasn’t explored Later, we realized my aunt had bipolar disorder and my grandfather likely did too. Genetic factors are significant but weren’t discussed.

Reason #4: Antidepressant response wasn’t recognized as diagnostic The pattern of antidepressants triggering mania is a major clue for bipolar disorder, but previous doctors didn’t make this connection.

Reason #5: Stigma and misconceptions Both my family and I had stereotyped ideas about bipolar disorder that prevented us from considering it.

The Right Treatment Plan: Mood Stabilizers Change Everything

With the correct diagnosis, Dr. Rodriguez developed a treatment plan focused on mood stabilization rather than just treating depression.

Medication: Finding the Right Combination

Step 1: Mood Stabilizer (Lamictal/Lamotrigine)

• Started at 25mg, gradually increased to 200mg over 8 weeks
• Primary goal: Prevent both manic and depressive episodes
• Side effects: Mild dizziness for first few weeks, otherwise well-tolerated

Step 2: Discontinued Antidepressant

• Tapered off Lexapro under close supervision
• Replaced antidepressant’s mood effects with mood stabilizer’s more balanced approach

Step 3: Added Low-Dose Antipsychotic (Seroquel)

• 50mg at bedtime to help with sleep and additional mood stability
• Not because I had psychosis, but because low doses can help with bipolar symptoms

The results after 3 months:

• No more dramatic mood swings
• Sleeping 7-8 hours regularly
• Energy levels more consistent
• Ability to make rational decisions even when stressed
• Depression episodes less severe and shorter
• No more hypomanic episodes

Therapy: Learning to Manage a Chronic Condition

Therapist: Dr. Amanda Chen, who specialized in bipolar disorder

Therapeutic approach: Combination of CBT and psychoeducation specific to bipolar disorder

What I learned in therapy:

Understanding my triggers:

• Lack of sleep could trigger mood episodes
• Major life changes or stress often preceded episodes
• Seasonal changes affected my mood stability
• Skipping medication even once could destabilize my mood

Recognizing early warning signs:

• Hypomania warnings: Decreased sleep need, increased talking, new projects
• Depression warnings: Social withdrawal, difficulty concentrating, negative thoughts
• Mixed episode warnings: High energy but irritable mood, racing thoughts with anxiety

Developing coping strategies:

• Sleep hygiene: Regular bedtime, no screens before bed, bedroom environment
• Stress management: Regular exercise, meditation, saying no to excessive commitments
• Social support: Trusted people who could recognize mood changes
• Routine: Consistent daily structure to support mood stability

Lifestyle Changes: Supporting Medical Treatment

Sleep routine:

• Bedtime at 10:30 PM, wake at 7 AM every day (including weekends)
• No caffeine after 2 PM
• Blackout curtains and white noise machine
• Sleep tracker to monitor patterns

Exercise:

• 30 minutes of cardio 4x per week (helps with both depression and hypomania)
• Yoga 2x per week for stress management
• Nothing too intense that could trigger mood episodes

Nutrition:

• Regular meals to maintain stable blood sugar
• Limited alcohol (can interfere with medication and sleep)
• Omega-3 supplements (some evidence for mood stability)

Stress management:

• Meditation using Headspace app (10 minutes daily)
• Journaling to process emotions and track mood patterns
• Setting boundaries around work and social commitments

How My Family Relationships Changed

Getting the correct diagnosis and treatment transformed not just my life, but my relationships with family members who had struggled to understand my behavior for decades.

The Conversation with My Parents

Three months after diagnosis, I sat down with my parents to explain what I’d learned.

Me: “I want to talk to you about my mental health diagnosis. I have bipolar disorder, which explains a lot of the behavior you’ve seen over the years.”

Mom: “But you’re not… I mean, you don’t have those extreme mood swings like people in movies.”

Dad: “Are you sure? You’ve always just been more intense than other people.”

Me: “That’s exactly the point. What you saw as intensity and moodiness were actually symptoms of a treatable medical condition.”

Reframing the Past Together

We went through specific examples:

The teaching job situation:

• Old narrative: “Jordan is impulsive and doesn’t stick with commitments”
• New understanding: “Jordan made that decision during a mood episode when their judgment was impaired”

The graduate school pattern:

• Old narrative: “Jordan can’t decide what they want to do”
• New understanding: “Jordan was starting programs during hypomania and crashing during depression”

The spending sprees:

• Old narrative: “Jordan is irresponsible with money”
• New understanding: “Impulsive spending is a common symptom of hypomanic episodes”

My Family’s Response to Treatment

Dad: “I have to admit, you seem more… stable lately. More like yourself, but consistently.”

Mom: “I was skeptical about the medication, but you haven’t had any of those dramatic ups and downs in months.”

Sister: “It’s like you’re the same person all the time now, instead of being three different people depending on the day.”

Setting New Boundaries and Expectations

What I asked from my family:

During stable periods:

• Treat me as fully capable and responsible
• Don’t walk on eggshells or treat me like I’m fragile
• Support my medication compliance and therapy attendance

If I have future mood episodes:

• Recognize that my judgment might be impaired
• Encourage me to contact my psychiatrist
• Don’t take irritability or withdrawal personally
• Help me stick to sleep and routine basics

What my family needed from me:

• Open communication about how I’m feeling
• Consistency in taking medication and going to therapy
• Advance directive about what to do if I become unstable
• Acknowledgment that my past behavior had affected them too

The Science Behind Bipolar Disorder: What I Wish I’d Known Earlier

Understanding the research helped both me and my family make sense of what had happened and why treatment was working.

The Genetics of Bipolar Disorder

Family history matters: Having a first-degree relative with bipolar disorder increases your risk by 7-10 times compared to the general population.²

My family tree revealed:

• Aunt Linda: Diagnosed with bipolar I disorder at age 35
• Grandfather: Never diagnosed, but family stories described extreme mood swings, periods of grandiosity, and severe depressions
• Cousin Mike: Diagnosed with bipolar II disorder at age 30

Why this matters: It wasn’t my fault, my family’s fault, or the result of character flaws. There was a biological predisposition that needed medical treatment.

Brain Differences in Bipolar Disorder

**Neuroimaging studies show:**³

• Differences in brain areas that regulate mood and impulse control
• Variations in neurotransmitter systems (dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine)
• Changes in brain connectivity during mood episodes

What this means: Bipolar disorder involves actual changes in brain function, not just psychological or personality issues.

Why Antidepressants Can Be Dangerous

The mechanism: Antidepressants can trigger mania or hypomania in people with bipolar disorder because they affect neurotransmitter systems that are already dysregulated.⁴

My experience was textbook:

• Zoloft, Wellbutrin, and Lexapro all triggered hypomanic or manic episodes
• Each episode was followed by a worse depression than before
• This pattern should have been a diagnostic red flag

Why mood stabilizers work differently: They target the underlying brain circuits that control mood regulation rather than just increasing specific neurotransmitters.

Living with Bipolar Disorder: What Recovery Really Looks Like

Two years after diagnosis, here’s what my life looks like:

Professional Life

• Current job: Content marketing manager at a nonprofit (stable for 18 months)
• Work performance: Consistent productivity, no more dramatic ups and downs
• Career planning: Making decisions based on interests and skills, not mood states
• Boundaries: 40-hour work weeks, clear separation between work and personal time

Relationships

• Romantic: Dating someone for 8 months who knows about my diagnosis and is supportive
• Family: Much closer relationships now that everyone understands what was happening
• Friends: Deeper connections because I’m more consistently myself
• Social: Can make and keep commitments without mood episodes interfering

Mental Health

• Mood stability: No major episodes in 18 months
• Medication compliance: Taking meds daily, regular psychiatrist check-ins
• Therapy: Monthly maintenance sessions, weekly during stressful periods
• Self-awareness: Can recognize early warning signs and take action

What “Stable” Feels Like

It doesn’t mean:

• Never having any mood variations (I’m still human)
• Being emotionally flat or numb
• Never getting excited or sad about things
• Having no personality or losing my creativity

It means:

• My mood matches what’s actually happening in my life
• I can make consistent decisions that I don’t regret later
• My energy levels don’t swing from exhausted to manic
• I can maintain relationships and commitments
• Bad days are just bad days, not month-long episodes

Red Flags: When “Moody” Might Be Bipolar Disorder

If you recognize these patterns in yourself or a loved one, consider talking to a mental health professional who has experience with mood disorders:

Cyclical Patterns

• Distinct periods of elevated mood alternating with depression
• Episodes last weeks or months, not just days
• Person returns to normal functioning between episodes
• Pattern repeats over time

Hypomanic Episodes (at least 4 days of):

• Elevated or irritable mood
• Decreased need for sleep (feeling rested on 3-4 hours)
• More talkative than usual
• Racing thoughts or flight of ideas
• Increased activity or energy
• Risky or impulsive behavior
• Inflated self-esteem

Depressive Episodes (at least 2 weeks of):

• Depressed mood most of the day
• Loss of interest in activities
• Sleep disturbances
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Difficulty concentrating
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Response to Antidepressants

• Antidepressants trigger manic or hypomanic episodes
• “Pooping out” of antidepressants after initial effectiveness
• Need for multiple medication trials for depression

Family History

• Relatives with bipolar disorder, “manic depression,” or unexplained mood swings
• Family members with substance abuse (often self-medication)
• Relatives described as “brilliant but unstable” or having “dramatic personalities”

Resources for Bipolar Disorder

Professional Support

• Psychiatrists: Medical doctors who can prescribe mood stabilizers
• Therapists: Look for specialists in bipolar disorder or mood disorders
• Support groups: NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers local support groups

Educational Resources

• “An Unquiet Mind” by Kay Redfield Jamison (memoir by psychologist with bipolar disorder)
• “The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide” by David Miklowitz
• International Bipolar Foundation (ibpf.org)
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (dbsalliance.org)

Apps and Tools

• Mood tracking apps: Daylio, eMoods, Mood Tools
• Meditation: Headspace, Calm (helpful for stress management)
• Sleep tracking: Sleep Cycle, Fitbit (important for mood stability)

Crisis Resources

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
• Emergency room if having thoughts of hurting yourself or others

A Message to Families: How to Help Someone You Think Might Have Bipolar Disorder

What NOT to Say

• “You’re just moody/dramatic/unstable”
• “Everyone has ups and downs”
• “You just need to learn to control your emotions”
• “Stop making excuses for your behavior”
• “You’re fine when you want to be”

What IS Helpful

• “I’ve noticed some patterns in your mood that seem difficult. Have you considered talking to a professional?”
• “I love you and I want to understand what you’re going through”
• “Let’s research mental health professionals together”
• “I support you getting the help you need”
• “This doesn’t change how I feel about you”

How to Support Treatment

• Learn about bipolar disorder from reputable sources
• Attend therapy or psychiatry appointments if the person wants support
• Help them stick to medication schedules and sleep routines
• Recognize that recovery is a process, not an event
• Take care of your own mental health too

The Bottom Line: “Moody” Isn’t a Life Sentence

For 28 years, I thought I was just someone who felt things more intensely than other people.

I thought I was impulsive, inconsistent, and emotionally unstable by nature.

I thought the dramatic ups and downs were character flaws I needed to overcome through willpower and better self-control.

I was wrong.

What I actually had was a treatable medical condition that affected my brain’s ability to regulate mood, sleep, energy, and judgment.

Getting the right diagnosis and treatment didn’t change my personality—it revealed my actual personality underneath the mood disorder.

I’m still creative, passionate, and intense. But now those traits express themselves in sustainable ways rather than in destructive mood episodes.

I still have strong emotions and reactions to life events. But now they’re proportionate to what’s actually happening and don’t last for weeks or months.

I still have goals and ambitions. But now I pursue them based on my actual interests and values rather than hypomanic grandiosity or depressive hopelessness.

If you’re reading this and seeing yourself in my story, please know:

You’re not “just moody.” If your mood swings are impacting your relationships, work, education, or daily life, there might be a treatable explanation.

You’re not broken or weak. Bipolar disorder is a medical condition, like diabetes or hypertension. It requires treatment, not willpower.

You can have a good life. With proper diagnosis and treatment, people with bipolar disorder can be successful, have healthy relationships, and live fulfilling lives.

Your family loves you. They might not understand what you’re going through, but that doesn’t mean they don’t care. Sometimes getting a diagnosis helps everyone make sense of confusing behavior.

Treatment works. Mood stabilizers, therapy, and lifestyle changes can dramatically improve quality of life for people with bipolar disorder.

The first step is the hardest: making that appointment with a mental health professional who has experience with mood disorders.

You deserve to feel stable, make consistent decisions, and have relationships that aren’t disrupted by unpredictable mood swings.

You deserve more than just surviving your own emotions—you deserve to thrive.

About the Author: Jordan Martinez holds a Master’s degree in Creative Writing and works as a content marketing manager for a mental health nonprofit. Since being diagnosed with Bipolar II disorder in 2024, Jordan has become an advocate for accurate mental health information and reducing stigma around mood disorders. Jordan speaks at conferences about the experience of late diagnosis and writes about mental health topics for various publications. When stable, Jordan enjoys hiking, photography, and terrible attempts at cooking.

References

1. Ghaemi, S. N., Hsu, D. J., Soldani, F., & Goodwin, F. K. (2003). Antidepressants in bipolar disorder: the case for caution. Bipolar Disorders, 5(6), 421-433.

2. Craddock, N., & Sklar, P. (2013). Genetics of bipolar disorder. The Lancet, 381(9878), 1654-1662.

3. Phillips, M. L., & Swartz, H. A. (2014). A critical appraisal of neuroimaging studies of bipolar disorder: toward a new conceptualization of underlying neural circuitry and a road map for future research. American Journal of Psychiatry, 171(8), 829-843.

4. Bond, K., Noronha, M. M., Santosh, P. J., & Ogundipe, E. (2008). Antidepressant-induced mania in children and adolescents. Clinical Child Psychology Review, 11(4), 12-18.