Bipolar disorder — sometimes called manic depressive disorder — is a chronic mental health condition characterized by shifts in a person’s mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration. At times, symptoms can disappear, leading to periods of remission.
Bipolar disorder often causes a person’s moods to shift between manic and depressive episodes. Although there’s no cure, therapy, medication, and coping strategies can help manage the symptoms and make life easier.
Bipolar remission occurs when a person experiences no symptoms, or minimal symptoms, of both mania and depression for at least one week.
Living with bipolar disorder can feel like riding a wave of unpredictable emotions. About 1 in 40 American adults live with this mental health condition and frequently experience intense mood swings ranging from emotional highs, known as mania, to overwhelming lows, referred to as depression. These shifts are known as mood episodes.
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong health condition with two primary types. In bipolar I, the more common form, people go through manic and depressive episodes that typically last for seven days, nearly every day. In bipolar II, they have depressive episodes and less intense manic episodes called hypomania. A third, rarer type called cyclothymia involves mood swings with hypomanic and depressive symptoms, but they aren’t severe or long enough to be full episodes.
Although bipolar disorder can’t be cured, it’s treatable. Treatment can help many people including those with severe symptoms.
The goal of treatment for bipolar disorder is to minimize the severity and frequency of episodes and extend the periods of remission. Treatment may include counseling, lifestyle changes, and, at times, medication.
Can people with bipolar disorder go into remission?
Remission for bipolar remission occurs when manic and depressive symptoms are absent or minimal for at least one week. Sustained remission requires maintaining this state for at least eight consecutive weeks.
A comprehensive treatment plan helps many people with bipolar disorder achieve remission. Research shows that while complete remission might not always be possible, realistic treatment goals should focus on reducing mood episodes for extended periods and maximizing quality of life.
In some cases, a person with bipolar disorder enters partial remission, in which their symptoms are reduced but not entirely gone. During partial remission, they may still experience mild to moderate symptoms of mania, hypomania, or depression.
Others with bipolar disorder may experience interepisodic functioning, which indicates how well they can manage daily tasks and maintain relationships between mood episodes.
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How long does bipolar remission last?
The length of bipolar remission differs for each person. Some people may stay in remission for months or years, while others have shorter stable periods between mood episodes.
Several factors can help you to achieve remission and reduce the frequency and severity of mood episodes. These include:
Taking medications if needed: If you’re prescribed medication for bipolar disorder, it’s important to take it exactly as directed. Research has shown that about half of the people diagnosed with bipolar disorder stop taking their medications, increasing the risk of relapse and, in severe cases, hospitalization. Stopping a bipolar disorder medication abruptly can lead to rebound cases of mania and depression. It’s important to work with your provider to determine if medication is right for your unique needs and circumstances.
Managing stress: Stressful situations and challenging life experiences can trigger mood episodes linked to bipolar disorder. While you can’t always control stressful situations, you can learn coping skills to manage how you respond to stress. By developing healthy responses to stress, you can manage it more effectively.
Ensuring a good night’s sleep: If you have problems falling or staying asleep at night, it can lead to mood episodes associated with bipolar disorder. Sleep loss can also trigger a relapse, especially with mania. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. If you’re having problems falling asleep, work with a provider to develop a plan tailored to you or ask your doctor if a natural sleep supplement might help.
Overcoming addictions: Smoking, gambling, and drug use often accompany bipolar disorder and can make symptoms worse. Treating both bipolar disorder and substance use requires a comprehensive approach, including working with a mental health professional in a safe, nonjudgmental setting. Therapy can help you build a support network, master coping skills, and set goals for recovery.
Treating co-occurring conditions: Many people with bipolar disorder also have a co-occurring mental health condition, like anxiety disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), substance use, or an eating disorder. Treating co-occurring conditions is important to successfully manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Finding support: When you’re feeling depressed, you might avoid interactions with others, but research shows that loneliness and isolation can worsen bipolar symptoms. To connect with people who understand the challenges of living with bipolar disorder, consider joining an online or in-person support group that offers a safe space to share your experiences and coping strategies.
How do you stay in bipolar remission?
Along with working with a trained therapist and, in some cases, taking medication, you can use self-care strategies to manage your symptoms. They may include:
Establishing a routine: When you’re feeling down, it can be hard to maintain structure in your life. Yet evidence shows interpersonal and social rhythm therapy can help regulate daily routines, reduce manic cycles, and prevent depression associated with bipolar disorder.
Getting regular exercise: Studies have shown that maintaining a regular exercise regimen helps with bipolar symptoms like mania and depression. Because sleep disturbances are also common with bipolar disorder, exercise can help by improving sleep quality.
Adopting a healthy diet: Antipsychotic medications can cause metabolic side effects like obesity and insulin resistance in some people with bipolar disorder. Working with a nutritionist who specializes in this area can help support lifestyle interventions.
Making time to relax: Some research has shown practicing meditation can help with bipolar symptoms. Meditation can also promote a sense of calm and peace.
Tracking symptoms can be a great way to get a sense of how long they typically last. This can provide a ‘light at the end of a tunnel’ for those experiencing symptoms.
Ashley Ayala, LMFT
Clinical reviewer
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It can be challenging to navigate the symptoms of bipolar disorder. A therapist who specializes in bipolar disorder can help you recognize the warning signs of an upcoming manic or depressive episode, minimize the severity and frequency of your episodes, and extend periods of remission.
At Rula, we work with an extensive network of 15,000+ mental health providers, many of whom specialize in treating bipolar disorder. With just a few clicks, you can find a therapist who accepts your insurance and can meet with you via live video as soon as tomorrow.
Linda Childers
Linda is an award-winning medical writer with experience writing for major media outlets, health companies, hospitals, and both consumer and trade print and digital outlets.
Her articles have appeared in the Washington Post, USA Today, WebMD, AARP, Brain+Life, HealthyWomen.org, The Rheumatologist, California Health Report, Everyday Health, HealthCentral, and many other media outlets.
While juggling the responsibilities of being part of the “sandwich generation” and caring for both her toddler son and terminally ill mother, a nurse friend encouraged her to seek therapy, which helped her to learn coping strategies and manage her depression. Linda hopes her work will help to destigmatize mental health conditions and encourage others to get the help they need.
Ashley Ayala, LMFT
Ashley is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in generational healing and family dynamics. Ashley has worked in schools, clinics, and in private practice. She believes that people’s relationships, including our relationship with ourselves, greatly shape our experiences in life.
Ashley is committed to empowering others to show up authentically and deepen their self understanding. This passion stems from taking a critical lens on her own life story and doing inner healing. One of her favorite quotes is “Be yourself and the right people will love the real you.”
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