Mood is supposed to go up and down, but it usually hovers around a mid-point. People with bipolar disorder experience much more prominent changes in mood.

The low mood in bipolar disorder mirrors the symptoms of depression.

The “high” mood in bipolar disorder (often called mania or hypomania in its milder form) is more than just feeling happy. This phase can be accompanied by excessive spending, increased sexual desire, risk taking and irritability. The consequences can be far reaching.

Psychological treatment helps by assisting people to manage the disorder. Identifying and mitigating triggers is a helpful way to reduce the frequency of further episodes. Strategies to help manage high and low moods can reduce the duration and impact of an episode. Exploration of the causes of bipolar disorder helps the person gain insight and control over the problem.