How do I know if I have bipolar disorder? You cannot know for sure on your own, and that is not a failing. Bipolar disorder is diagnosed by a doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist or nurse practitioner who looks at your mood over months and years, not days. What you can do is notice the pattern: periods of low mood that alternate with stretches of unusually high energy, less need for sleep and racing ideas that feel different from your normal self. If that pattern sounds familiar, it is worth getting a proper assessment.
What bipolar disorder actually is
Bipolar disorder is a mood condition where energy, activity and mood shift into distinct episodes. Everyone has good days and bad days. The difference here is that the shifts last for days or weeks, they look different from how you usually are, and they affect your sleep, work, money or relationships.
- Bipolar I disorder involves at least one manic episode: about a week or more of elevated or irritable mood with high energy, or any episode serious enough to need hospital care.
- Bipolar II disorder involves hypomania (a milder high lasting at least four days) along with at least one major depressive episode. Many people with Bipolar II first seek help for depression.
- Cyclothymic disorder involves milder ups and downs that come and go for two years or more.
How do I know if I have bipolar disorder? Signs you might notice
During a high (mania or hypomania), people often describe:
- Needing much less sleep and still feeling full of energy
- Racing thoughts, talking fast, jumping between ideas
- Starting many projects at once or feeling unusually confident
- Spending, driving or making decisions in ways that feel out of character
- Feeling irritable or easily set off, not only happy
During a low (depression), people often describe:
- Heavy sadness, emptiness or numbness most of the day
- Losing interest in things that used to matter
- Sleeping far more or far less, and feeling exhausted either way
- Trouble concentrating, guilt or feeling worthless
- Thoughts that life is not worth living
The key word is episodes. A single intense weekend or one stressful month is not the same as a repeating pattern.
Bipolar disorder, depression, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or anxiety?
These overlap a lot, which is why self diagnosis is so hard. Depression can look like the low side of bipolar disorder. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can look like restlessness and impulsivity, but it tends to be steady across your life rather than coming in episodes. Anxiety can bring racing thoughts and poor sleep, but the energy usually feels tense and draining rather than high. Burnout can swing between pushing hard and crashing. A clinician looks at timing, duration and family history to tell these apart.
What you can do this week
- Track your mood and sleep daily for a few weeks. Rate your mood from 1 to 10, note hours of sleep and energy. Patterns show up on paper that are hard to see from inside them.
- Ask someone close to you what they notice. People with hypomania often feel productive, while the people around them notice a change.
- Write down your family history of mood conditions, if you know it. Bipolar disorder often runs in families.
- Book an appointment with your family doctor and bring your notes. In Ontario, your doctor can assess you, rule out physical causes and refer you to a psychiatrist if needed.
- Avoid self treating with alcohol, sleep aids or stimulants until you have spoken with a doctor. Some medications for depression can affect people with bipolar disorder differently.
When to get help right away
If you are having thoughts of ending your life, or you are not sleeping for days and feel out of control, please reach out now. Call or text 988 (Suicide Crisis Helpline, any time), or call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department in an emergency.
How therapy helps
Bipolar disorder is usually treated with medical care and therapy together. Therapy does not replace medication your doctor recommends, but it helps you understand your patterns, protect your sleep and routines, notice early warning signs, and handle the shame and stress that often come with the diagnosis.
My approach is science first, feeling second. We start by understanding what your brain and nervous system are doing, so the self blame can ease, and then we build skills that fit your real life. I draw on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and a steady focus on rhythm, sleep and relationships. Learn more on my Bipolar Disorder therapy page.
For South Asian and brown families
In many desi families, mood changes get called stress, laziness or a phase, and getting help can feel like bringing shame on the family. If that is your experience, you are not alone. I offer sessions in English, Hindi and Punjabi, and we can talk about how to explain what you are going through to the people you love, at a pace that feels safe.
Therapy in Ajax and across Ontario
I see clients in person at our Ajax office, serving Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa, Durham Region and Scarborough, and virtually anywhere in Ontario. Read more about working with a therapist in Ajax.
Frequently asked questions
Can a psychotherapist diagnose bipolar disorder in Ontario?
No. In Ontario, a diagnosis comes from a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist or nurse practitioner. A Registered Psychotherapist can help you notice patterns, prepare for that assessment and provide therapy alongside your medical care.
Is bipolar disorder the same as having mood swings?
No. Mood swings within a day are common. Bipolar disorder involves distinct episodes that last days or weeks and look clearly different from your usual self.
Can bipolar disorder look like depression?
Yes. Many people, especially with Bipolar II disorder, first notice depression. Tell your doctor about any past periods of unusually high energy or little need for sleep, even if they felt good at the time.
Does therapy help with bipolar disorder?
Therapy alongside medical care can help people understand their patterns, keep steady routines, spot early warning signs and cope with stress. Everyone’s path is different.
Do you offer therapy in Hindi or Punjabi?
Yes. Sessions are available in English, Hindi and Punjabi, in person in Ajax or virtually anywhere in Ontario.