Sometimes, mood changes don’t feel normal anymore. A person may feel extremely energetic, talkative, and full of plans for a few days and then suddenly slip into sadness, low energy, or hopelessness. These ups and downs can slowly begin to affect work, relationships, sleep, and overall daily life, making everything feel uncertain and difficult to manage.
Many people then start wondering what is really going on. Is it just stress, or something more? There is no single blood test or scan that confirms bipolar disorder. When someone considers bipolar disorder treatment in Siliguri, doctors focus on understanding the person’s full story, their mood patterns, behavior changes, sleep habits, and how these emotional shifts have developed over time.
Let’s break down how this diagnosis process actually works simply.
How Bipolar Disorder Affects Mood and Life
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that results in drastic mood swings. These are not normal ups and downs that everyone experiences. They are intense emotional shifts that can affect sleep, work, relationships, and decision-making.
These mood shifts usually include:
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Mania or hypomania(very high energy or elevated mood)
- Depression(deep sadness or loss of interest)
The word “bipolar” literally means two poles, high and low.
To diagnose bipolar disorder, doctors look for a clear pattern of these two opposite emotional states.
Why There’s No Simple Test for Bipolar Disorder
One of the biggest myths is that bipolar disorder can be detected through a scan or blood test. That’s not true.
No lab test directly confirms bipolar disorder.
Instead, diagnosis is based on:
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Detailed conversation
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Psychological assessment
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Symptom history
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Duration and intensity of mood episodes
- Impact on daily life
This is why visiting a qualified psychiatrist is important. Mental health conditions require professional evaluation.
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Step 1: A Detailed and Open Conversation
Diagnosis begins with a long and honest discussion between you and the psychiatrist.
The doctor may ask questions like:
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Have you ever felt extremely energetic or unusually confident?
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Do you sometimes sleep very little but still feel full of energy?
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Have you had moments when your mind was racing?
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Do you go through long periods of sadness or emptiness?
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Have these mood changes affected your work or relationships?
- How long do these phases last?
These questions help the doctor understand your emotional patterns.
It’s important to share everything, both the “high” moments and the “low” ones. Many people only seek help when they are depressed and forget to mention their energetic or impulsive phases. But both sides are important for an accurate diagnosis.
Step 2: Identifying Manic or Hypomanic Episodes
For a bipolar diagnosis, doctors carefully look for signs of mania or hypomania.
What Is Mania?
A manic episode is a period of extremely elevated mood or irritability that lasts at least one week.
During mania, a person may:
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Feel overly happy or powerful
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Talk excessively or very fast
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Sleep only 2–3 hours and still feel energetic
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Spend money recklessly
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Take risky decisions
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Get easily irritated or aggressive
- Have unrealistic ideas about their abilities
Mania can become severe enough to require hospitalization in some cases.
What Is Hypomania?
Hypomania is a milder form of mania. The person may feel energetic, productive, and creative, but not completely out of control.
Sometimes hypomania feels “good,” so people don’t see it as a problem. But it still helps doctors identify bipolar disorder.
Step 3: Identifying Depressive Episodes
The other side of bipolar disorder is depression.
A depressive episode may include:
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Feeling sad or empty for weeks
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Loss of interest in daily activities
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Fatigue or low energy
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Sleeping too much or too little
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Difficulty concentrating
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Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Thoughts of death or self-harm
For diagnosis, depressive symptoms must last at least two weeks and significantly affect daily life.
Step 4: Understanding the Pattern
What makes bipolar disorder different from normal mood swings is the pattern and duration.
Doctors check:
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How long does each episode lasts
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How intense the symptoms are
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How often do they occur
- Whether daily functioning is affected
There are different types of bipolar disorder:
Bipolar I Disorder
At least one complete manic episode, with despair perhaps following.
Bipolar II Disorder
Hypomanic episodes along with major depressive episodes.
Cyclothymic Disorder
Milder mood fluctuations that last for a minimum of two years.
Identifying the correct type helps in planning proper treatment.
Step 5: Ruling Out Other Causes
Mood changes can sometimes be caused by physical health issues or other conditions.
Doctors may rule out:
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Thyroid problems
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Vitamin deficiencies
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Substance use
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Medication side effects
- Other psychiatric conditions
Blood tests may be done, not to confirm bipolar disorder, but to eliminate other medical causes.
This ensures accurate diagnosis and prevents wrong treatment.
How Family Can Help Spot the Signs
Sometimes people don’t fully realize how their behavior changes during mania.
Family members may notice:
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Sudden personality changes
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Risky decisions
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Overspending
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Aggressive behavior
- Extreme confidence
With your permission, doctors may speak to family members to better understand the full picture.
Why Bipolar Disorder Is Sometimes Misdiagnosed
Many people are first diagnosed with depression because they visit a doctor during their low phase.
If manic or hypomanic episodes are not discussed, the condition may be mistaken for major depression. Treating bipolar disorder as simple depression can sometimes worsen symptoms.
This is why a detailed evaluation by an experienced psychiatrist is extremely important.
What Happens After Diagnosis?
Once bipolar disorder is diagnosed, treatment begins.
Treatment usually includes:
Medication
Mood stabilizers and sometimes antipsychotic medications help control mood swings.
Therapy
Psychotherapy helps patients:
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Identify triggers
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Manage stress
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Improve coping skills
- Build a routine.
Lifestyle Changes
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Regular sleep schedule
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Healthy diet
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Exercise
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Avoiding alcohol and drugs
- Stress management
Bipolar disorder is a long-term condition, but it is manageable with consistent treatment.
When Should You Seek Help?
You should consult a psychiatrist if:
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Mood swings are extreme and repeated
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Energy levels change drastically
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You take risky or impulsive decisions
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Depression lasts for weeks
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Daily life is getting disturbed
- You have thoughts of self-harm
Early diagnosis leads to better outcomes.
Final Thoughts
Understanding bipolar disorder isn’t about labels; it’s about noticing patterns in moods, energy, and behavior so the right help can be given. If you or a loved one is struggling with extreme highs and lows, early evaluation can make a big difference in managing symptoms and living a balanced life.
Talking to Dr. Twishampati Naskar can be the first step to understanding and managing your moods. Asking for help is a brave step toward balance, calm, and hope.
