Living with or loving an individual with bipolar disorder can be difficult, particularly during a manic or hypomanic episode. With these extreme mood swings, bipolar rage and angry outbursts can be a symptom, and these intense emotions can become increasingly stressful situations. When dealing with someone who is bipolar, it’s important to educate yourself about bipolar disorder in order to understand the onset and triggers of manic and hypomanic episodes. Below are some tips to help you navigate these situations, in addition to some resources for mental health treatment. AMFM Mental Health Treatment has over a decade of experience providing resources to families and mental health programming to those struggling with the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Call today to learn more.
We accept most major insurance providers and can check your coverage levels for you.
If we are not an appropriate provider for care, we will assist in finding a care provider that can help.
During manic or hypomanic episodes, a person struggling with bipolar disorder may be experiencing bipolar anger or bipolar rage. In these cases, intense emotions and extreme mood swings can be difficult to navigate. It’s important to understand bipolar disorder symptoms in order to recognize when your loved one might be experiencing a manic or hypomanic episode, so you can provide them with resources and professional help.
In order to be diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder, according to the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5) an individual must experience at least one manic episode. Episodes of mania are generally characterized by mood changes, increased energy levels, rapid talking, increased grandiosity, (an overinflated sense of self), distractibility (which may be misattributed or related to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), engaging in impulsive or risky behavior, and more.
Hypomania refers to a shorter duration of manic symptoms, with generally milder symptoms. In order to be diagnosed with Bipolar II, an individual must experience at least one episode of hypomania, in addition to an episode of depression (manic depression).
In order to be diagnosed with Bipolar II, an individual must experience both a hypomanic and a depressive episode. Depressive episodes are characterized by low moods, suicidal thoughts, or other common symptoms of depression like loss of interest, low self-esteem, fatigue, or changes in appetite.
If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal ideation and need immediate medical assistance, please call 911 for emergency medical attention, or 988, the National Suicide and Crisis hotline, which is available 24/7, free of cost.
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Bipolar I Disorder is considered the most severe form of Bipolar Disorder, and is diagnosed when an individual enters a manic state, characterized by an intense mood swing “up”, consisting of high-energy, uncomfortable irritability, racing thoughts and impulsivity. While Bipolar II Disorder is also characterized by manic episodes, they may be shorter or less severe, referred to as hypomania. A person struggling with Bipolar II will experience depressive episodes, while an individual struggling with Bipolar I may or may not experience depression.
When dealing with a bipolar person, particularly one who is struggling with angry outbursts during a manic or hypomanic episode, it’s important to remain calm, try not to take the anger personally, and communicate openly and honestly. Generally speaking, the “say what you mean, mean what you say, but don’t say it mean” saying isn’t a bad one to keep in mind. It may be important to set boundaries, to refer your loved one to professional help, and try not to match the individual’s intense emotions, but rather focus on their needs.
Therapy for Bipolar Disorder is a key piece of effective treatment for a greater quality of life and emotional regulation with this lifelong condition. Seeking care from a mental health professional can help regulate extreme mood episodes for a long-term lifestyle change. AMFM Mental Health Treatment offers a combination of holistic mental health services and evidence-based therapies like the following:
Individual therapy takes place in a one on one setting with a licensed professional, usually consisting of a combination of dialectical and cognitive behavioral therapies, in which a person can talk through his or her individual struggles. Individual therapy and mental health care is one of the most crucial steps for those facing mental health challenges.
Group therapy sessions can be used to help provide structured times to help you understand that you are not alone in your struggles, that your peers are also walking through these challenges, while also providing guidance, suggestions and communications from psychologists with specialized backgrounds. These groups can span a variety of backgrounds, including but not limited to art therapy, somatic therapy, and narrative therapy.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that’s focused on restructuring and reprogramming maladaptive and negative thought processes. Psychologists are trained to help you change your cognitive and emotional processes in order to outgrow coping mechanisms that may no longer be serving you.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is most commonly referred to as “talk therapy,” and is designed to help process emotions. Qualified professionals offer psychological therapy to move forward with healthy ways of engaging in interpersonal relationships and alleviating physical and emotional distress.
EMDR Therapy is a renowned method of reprocessing most often used in trauma therapy. By activating the prefrontal cortex through a series of bilateral stimulation, qualified professionals can lead you through traumatic experiences, helping you to alleviate the distress symptomized by trauma.
TMS Therapy is a type of therapy that uses magnetic pulses to treat depression by stimulating neurotransmitters in the brain. This is a noninvasive method of treatment that some mental health programs offer for treatment of depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Family therapy may be used when a loved one’s mental health symptoms are affecting others. This can increase a family members’ understanding of anxiety and talk about how to support each other. Family-focused therapy sessions and support groups can improve communication patterns, focus on problem-solving, address unresolved conflicts, and increase the sense of understanding among one another.
A Mission For Michael (AMFM) provides treatment for adults experiencing various conditions. Bipolar support is a phone call away – call 866-478-4383 to learn about our current treatment options.
Our AMFM treatment center in Southern California can provide individualized care for mood dysregulation concerns in adulthood. With individualized care, you can receive the support you need for lasting mental health wellness.
Our residential mental health treatment facilities in Virginia can provide you with individualized and comprehensive care for all your mental health needs. Our treatment programs blend the use of traditional and holistic therapies to provide you with whole-person care.
AMFM Mental Health Treatment provides comprehensive psychiatric care, along with traditional therapeutic modalities. Our on-staff clinicians are equipped to design personalized treatment plans for your continued success. In combination with psychotherapy, psychiatric care is handled safely, to help you or your loved one overcome mental health challenges.
AMFM Mental Health Treatment has extensive experience treating a variety of mental health disorders–through evidence-based therapies, support groups, mental health resources and more–including but not limited to the following:
Recovery can feel isolating; mental health programming can provide treatment options and cohesive plans to help you or your loved one as you move forward.
Most health insurance companies provide some form of coverage for bipolar disorder treatment.
AMFM Mental Health Treatment accepts most major insurance providers and can find out what your coverage levels would look like for one of our mental health facilities. Coverage may vary by carrier, but AMFM Mental Health Treatment Centers is in-network with many major insurance providers.
If you’d like to know whether or not you are in-network at one of these mental health facilities, you can fill out the form below confidentially, or call a member of the AMFM team to speak confidentially with a member of our care team.
By submitting this form you agree to the terms of use and privacy policy and give my express written consent for AMFM Healthcare to contact me at the number provided above, even if this number is a wireless number or if I am presently listed on a Do Not Call list.
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American Psychological Association. (n.d.-a). American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/topics/bipolar-disorder
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MA, Carlberg K. “Crisis Intervention – StatPearls.” NCBI, 24 April 2023, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559081/. Accessed 20 February 2025.
Burdick KE, Millett CE, Russo M, Et. al, The association between lithium use and neurocognitive performance in patients with bipolar disorder. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2020 Sep;45(10):1743-1749. doi: 10.1038/s41386-020-0683-2. Epub 2020 Apr 29. PMID: 32349118; PMCID: PMC7419515.
Kusumakar V. Antidepressants and antipsychotics in the long-term treatment of bipolar disorder. J Clin Psychiatry. 2002;63 Suppl 10:23-8. PMID: 12392350.
