Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that requires professional support to treat symptoms.
Psychiatrists can prescribe medication to manage mood swings. Therapists and psychologists typically focus on talk therapy.
Managing bipolar disorder requires a collaborative approach to care. This often includes talk therapy, medication, and healthy lifestyle changes.
Bipolar disorder involves dramatic shifts in mood, behavior, and energy levels. It can involve mood swings ranging from manic highs to depressive lows. Fortunately, the right treatment and support can help you stabilize your mood and manage symptoms. If you’re seeking care for the first time, you might be wondering whether you should see a psychiatrist or psychologist for bipolar disorder.
For many people, the answer is “both.” In simple terms, psychiatrists prescribe medication, while psychologists provide talk therapy. All of these providers can provide a diagnosis for bipolar disorder. Together, they can offer a more collaborative approach to care.
How therapy can help with bipolar disorder
Talk therapy can help people improve their mental health and well-being. With mood disorders like bipolar disorder, talk therapy can teach you how to manage symptoms, reduce stress, and strengthen your relationships.
Other benefits of talk therapy for bipolar disorder include:
Consistency and routine: Living with bipolar disorder can feel overwhelming at times. Therapy can help you establish a consistent routine for more stability and control.
Healthy coping strategies: You’ll learn to develop healthy coping skills for managing mood episodes and impulsive behaviors. For example, taking a daily walk, listening to your favorite music, and spending time with friends can all help.
Better communication skills: Therapists can help you connect, communicate, and build trust with loved ones.
Patient and family education: Receiving a bipolar disorder diagnosis can be overwhelming. Therapists and psychologists can educate loved ones on the condition. They can also help you identify your triggers and recognize warning signs of a mood episode.
Support for co-occurring conditions: Many people with bipolar disorder have another mental health condition as well. This often includes anxiety disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and/or eating disorders.
Each type of talk therapy has its own approach and techniques. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered a first-choice treatment for bipolar disorder. With CBT, you’ll learn to understand the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Other types of therapy include dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), family-focused therapy (FFT), and interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT). You might also consider group therapy. This is a chance to share your story, learn from others, and grow your support network.
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How psychiatry can help with bipolar disorder
Medication is an important part of treatment for many people with bipolar disorder. If you think you could benefit from medication, make an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). They can help you find the right medication to manage your symptoms and improve functioning.
Mood stabilizers and antipsychotics are the most common medications for bipolar disorder. In some cases, psychiatrists will also prescribe antidepressants or sleep medication to manage additional concerns.
When taking any kind of psychiatric medication, it’s important to have regular check-ins with your provider. This allows them to monitor the effectiveness of the medication and dosage. It’s also a chance to discuss any side effects or concerns. If you choose to stop taking your medication, you should only do it under the supervision of your provider.
The power of collaborative care for bipolar disorder
Treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis. People often cope with symptoms for years before receiving an accurate diagnosis, but it’s important to seek support right away. If you or a loved one are showing signs of bipolar, make an appointment with a healthcare professional.
For many people, collaborative care is key to managing bipolar disorder. This is when multiple healthcare professionals work together to coordinate care for a patient. The exact approach will depend on your symptoms, but it may involve a psychiatric provider, psychologist, therapist, and/or primary care physician.
Your treatment plan should reflect your strengths, challenges, and preferences. It may even change over time, so look for providers who are willing to collaborate to help you meet your goals.
When choosing a psychologist or psychiatrist, consider asking them:
“What treatment approaches do you use to manage bipolar disorder?”
“How do you coordinate care with other healthcare providers?”
“What role will I play in planning and decision-making?”
“Are you available for regular appointments?”
A key factor in deciding if someone with bipolar disorder may benefit from seeing both a psychiatric provider and a psychologist/therapist is when medication is not enough to stabilize the patient's mood. But most people will benefit from both psychiatry and therapy.
Halee Fullerton, PMHNP-BC
Clinical reviewer
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If you think you might have bipolar disorder, make an appointment with a mental health professional. This could be a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist. They can make a diagnosis and connect you with the right treatment for your needs.
At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best.
Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we're here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.
Alex Bachert
Alex Bachert is a freelance copywriter and mental health advocate. Since earning her masters degree in public health, she has focused her career on creating informative content that empowers people to prioritize their health and well-being. Alex has partnered with organizations like Ro, WellTheory, and Firsthand, and her work has been recognized by the Digital Health Association.
When she’s not writing about mental health, Alex is usually playing pickleball, meeting with her local board of health, or enjoying time with her three kids.
Halee Fullerton, PMHNP-BC
Halee is a psychiatric nurse practitioner with experience treating children, adolescents, and adults. She has worked in outpatient community health with children/adolescents as well as inpatient substance use disorder treatment. She currently sees patients via outpatient telehealth. Before becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner, she worked in emergency rooms, medical-surgical units, long-term care facilities (including Alzheimer/dementia units) and the intensive care unit.
She chose a career in mental health because she wanted to help people and to contribute to breaking down stigma around mental health. She is especially passionate about working with people who are navigating substance use disorders, depressive disorders, and anxiety/trauma-related disorders. She has three labradoodles that she adores.
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