Experiencing emotional highs and lows are part of the typical human experience—for the most part, we're all on the same emotional rollercoaster throughout life. For many people, those moods are manageable; but for some people, mood fluctuations are far too extreme and can significantly disrupt their daily lives.
More serious "mood swings"—ones that can seriously threaten a person's well-being or impact their daily schedule—are a common characteristic of bipolar disorder, and when related to the disease, they're known technically as "mood episodes." Though there are a few different types of bipolar disorder (bipolar 1 disorder, bipolar 2 disorder, and cyclothymic disorder), they all involve "clear changes in mood, energy, and activity levels," according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
The biggest difference between a typical mood swing and a mood episode in bipolar disorder is the length and severity—bipolar mood episodes consist of very high highs and extremely low lows for long stretches of time—and medical treatment from a trained psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker experienced in bipolar disorder management is essential. Here, mental health experts explain what a bipolar mood episode looks like, including how long it can last, what can trigger it, and the best ways to manage it.
Mood-Swings-in-Bipolar-Disorder-GettyImages-1326178930 , a psychiatrist with Keck Medicine of USC, tells Health. Technically speaking, "to be considered mania, symptoms need to last for at least seven days," says Dr. Elmashat. (That number can be lower if the mania is severe enough that the patient has to be hospitalized.)
When a person is experiencing a depressive episode, they may feel "down," or hopeless, the NIMH says. Depressive episodes can also impact a person's behavior, causing changes in sleep, appetite, and loss of enjoyment in normal activities.
It's also possible for a person with bipolar disorder to experience both manic and depressive feelings in the same episode—that's known as an episode with mixed features. People going through this type of episode "may feel very sad, empty, or hopeless, while, at the same, time feeling extremely energized," the NIMH says.
While the mood episodes associated with bipolar disorder are also unusual, they may not always be extreme—or as extreme as one might assume. While those with bipolar 1 disorder tend to have the most intense emotions, people with bipolar 2 disorder may experience what's known as hypomania, or a less severe form of mania, per the NIMH. "[Bipolar 2 disorder has] the same symptoms as bipolar 1, but the severity and the duration are less," says Dr. Elmashat. These hypomania symptoms may not interfere with a person's daily life, but they may be noticeable enough for family members to realize something is off, like decreased energy or excitement.
RELATED: 13 Bipolar Disorder Symptoms You Need to Know, According to Psychologists
What can trigger bipolar mood episodes?
It's well known that as a condition, bipolar disorder is highly genetic, meaning you're more likely to be diagnosed with it if you have an immediate family member who also has the disorder. But experts aren't quite sure why mood cycling happens in bipolar disorder, or what exactly causes people's mood to change so drastically, James Bennett Potash, MD, MPH, a professor of psychiatry at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a psychiatrist with Hopkins Medicine, tells Health.
There are, however, some common triggers for bipolar mood episodes. Stress, in general, can trigger a change in mood, says Dr. Elmashat. For example, a job loss, death in the family, financial stress, can all trigger bipolar episodes. Drug and alcohol use, he says, are also known to trigger bipolar disorder.
Antidepressant medications may also play a role in mood cycling, says Dr. Potash. While some bipolar patients may take antidepressants to help with their depressive episodes, he says doctors are very careful about how they use them, so as not to trigger manic episodes. That's why, when antidepressants are necessary, health care providers may monitor patients more closely, or pair the drugs with other mood-stabilizing medications.
RELATED: What Is Mania, and What Does It Mean to Have a Manic Episode? Here's What Experts Say
How long can bipolar mood episodes last?
There's no hard-and-fast rule about how long bipolar mood episodes last. Often, Dr. Potash says, people experience major depressive symptoms for several weeks or months, then move into a period of mania or hypomania for several weeks or months. "It's typically a slow change process," he says.
Some people with bipolar disorder experience rapid cycling, in which they shift from high to low mood (or vice versa) quickly over the course of days or even hours. According to Dr. Elmashat, rapid cycling involves one episode of either depression or mania or hypomania four times in 12 months, and it can occur in both bipolar 1 and bipolar 2. Most often, Dr. Potash says, rapid cycling with bipolar affects younger people, like teenagers, and it requires more intensive treatment than typical mood cycling.
RELATED: What It's Like to Live With Bipolar Disorder—a Mental Health Condition No One Can See
How can someone cope with bipolar mood episodes?
If you're diagnosed with bipolar disorder, your health care provider will work with you to come up with a treatment plan to keep your moods stable. According to Dr. Potash, doctors often prescribe a class of medications called mood stabilizers, such as Lithium, to prevent mood cycling. In patients with severe bipolar that involves delusions or hallucinations, antipsychotic medication can also be paired with mood stabilizers.
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is another important part of helping keep mood stable. Working with a therapist can help people with bipolar disorder understand their condition, adhere to their treatment plan, and deal with the fallout of potentially harmful behaviors caused by mood cycling. "Psychotherapy is something we should use for every patient with bipolar disorder," Dr. Potash says. "It's not so much that we think it cures bipolar, but so often psychotherapy is essential to engage a patient in the treatment process."
If a patient isn't responding to medication and therapy alone, there are other ways to treat it. For example, a doctor may recommend electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which can be an effective way to treat bipolar disorder, per the NIMH. ECT works by sending electrical currents through a person's brain to alter brain chemistry and, as a result, improve symptoms. ECT can also be extremely helpful in situations in which a rapid treatment response is necessary, such as with those who are at a risk of suicide, or are catatonic, the NIMH says.
Understanding the symptoms of bipolar disorder is an important way to recognize early signs of mood cycling so you can check in with your therapist, doctor, or a trusted loved one. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), it can also help to stay on a routine as much as possible, reduce stress where you can, and avoid alcohol or illicit drug use. It's also important to stay on top of the treatment plan recommended by your health care provider.
If you're experiencing fluctuations in moods that are interfering with your ability to function in more than one area of your life, Dr. Potash says it may be time to ask for help from a medical provider. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can diagnose and treat symptoms with medication, but you can also start with your primary care provider or a psychologist. No matter where you begin, reaching out is an important first step for your health and well-being.
To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter