Myth 1: Bipolar Disorder is Just “Mood Swings” 

The truth: Bipolar involves extreme mood, energy, and activity shifts that can last days to months and severely disrupt life.

It’s a common misconception that bipolar disorder simply means experiencing mood swings like anyone else might have from time to time. However, bipolar disorder involves much more than occasional shifts in feelings. It causes extreme and often unpredictable changes in mood, energy, and behavior that can last for days, weeks, or even months. These mood episodes can range from manic or hypomanic states — marked by heightened energy, racing thoughts, and impulsive behavior — to deep depressive phases characterized by overwhelming sadness, low energy, and loss of interest in everyday activities. 

Unlike normal mood fluctuations that most people experience, these shifts are intense and severe enough to disrupt relationships, work performance, and overall quality of life. Because these episodes often happen without clear triggers, they can be confusing and frightening both for the person experiencing them and those around them. Proper diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing these symptoms and enhancing daily functioning.

Myth 2: People with Bipolar Disorder are Always Either Manic or Depressed

The truth: Many spend significant time in stable moods and can function well between episodes with treatment.

One of the most common and damaging misconceptions about bipolar disorder is the belief that individuals with the condition are always either in the grip of intense mania or struggling through the depths of depression. This oversimplified view not only misrepresents the nature of the disorder but also contributes to harmful stigma. In reality, many people with bipolar disorder spend a substantial amount of time in what mental health professionals refer to as a “euthymic” state — periods when their mood is stable, balanced, and within a typical emotional range. These stretches of emotional equilibrium are not rare or fleeting; they can last for weeks, months, or even years, particularly when the person is receiving consistent treatment, such as mood-stabilizing medication, therapy, and lifestyle support.

During these stable phases, individuals often lead lives that look very similar to those without a mental health diagnosis. They may go to work, maintain relationships, pursue hobbies, and experience joy, frustration, and contentment just like anyone else. The presence of bipolar disorder does not mean a person is constantly in crisis or emotionally unstable. Many people learn to recognize early warning signs of mood shifts and use coping mechanisms to help regulate their emotions before a full-blown episode occurs.

It’s crucial to understand that bipolar disorder is cyclical. Mood episodes — whether manic, hypomanic, depressive, or mixed — come and go, and they are only one part of a person’s broader experience. Framing bipolar disorder as an unrelenting emotional rollercoaster not only ignores the periods of stability but also minimizes the resilience and agency of those living with the condition. 

Myth 3: Bipolar Disorder Only Affects Mood 

The truth: Bipolar also impacts cognition, sleep, and overall functionality in work, relationships, and social roles.

Beyond emotional highs and lows, bipolar disorder can profoundly affect a person’s cognitive abilities and physical well-being. While mood episodes tend to get the most attention, many individuals with bipolar disorder also experience significant disruptions in memory, attention, and decision-making. These cognitive symptoms, sometimes referred to as “brain fog,” can appear during both manic and depressive episodes and may even persist during periods of mood stability. Tasks that once felt routine — like following a conversation, organizing a to-do list, or completing work on a deadline — can suddenly feel overwhelming or impossible.

Sleep disturbances are another hallmark of the condition. During manic or hypomanic phases, people often sleep very little and may not even feel tired, despite experiencing profound fatigue later on. In contrast, depressive episodes can lead to hypersomnia, where a person sleeps far more than usual, or fragmented sleep that leaves them feeling exhausted no matter how many hours they spend in bed. Over time, this irregular sleep-wake cycle can intensify mood instability and contribute to further cognitive impairment.

Myth 4: Mania Means Being Happy or Energetic

The truth: Mania often includes irritability, impulsivity, poor judgment, and sometimes psychosis, which can be harmful.

The word “mania” is often misunderstood and even romanticized, especially in popular culture, where it’s portrayed as a period of heightened creativity, energy, or productivity. While mania can sometimes include euphoria or bursts of energy, it is far from a purely positive experience. In reality, manic episodes often involve intense irritability, racing thoughts, impulsive behavior, and poor judgment. People may speak rapidly, take on risky or unrealistic projects, spend money recklessly, or engage in dangerous activities without considering the consequences. What might appear to be confidence or ambition from the outside is often a loss of control on the inside.

As mania progresses, symptoms can escalate and become overwhelming. Some individuals may experience paranoia, delusions, or even full-blown psychosis, losing touch with reality entirely. These symptoms can lead to serious consequences, including strained relationships, financial ruin, legal issues, or hospitalization. Even hypomania, a milder form of mania common in bipolar II disorder, can be disruptive, especially when it interferes with sleep, concentration, or emotional regulation.

It’s essential to recognize that mania is not solely about feeling elated or having increased energy. For many people, it is a destabilizing, sometimes frightening experience that requires medical attention and ongoing support. Recognizing the full scope of manic symptoms helps reduce harmful stereotypes and allows for more accurate diagnosis and compassionate care.

Myth 5: You Can Tell When Someone is Bipolar by Their Behavior

The truth: Many people mask symptoms; diagnosis requires clinical evaluation, not assumptions.

One of the most damaging misconceptions about bipolar disorder is the belief that it’s obvious — that you can spot someone with the condition just by the way they act. In reality, bipolar disorder is often invisible. Many people living with it are high-functioning, especially during periods of mood stability, and they may go to great lengths to hide their symptoms out of fear of judgment or misunderstanding. Even during episodes, not all symptoms are external or dramatic. Depression can look like withdrawal, fatigue, or quiet sadness. Hypomania may come across as charisma or confidence. And for some, the signs are internal — racing thoughts, agitation, or emotional numbness — that don’t always show on the surface.

Assuming someone “looks” or “acts” bipolar reinforces stereotypes and can lead to harmful labeling or missed diagnoses. It also overlooks the complexity and diversity of the disorder, which can manifest differently in each individual. Diagnosing bipolar disorder requires a careful clinical evaluation by a mental health professional, not casual observation or snap judgments. This process involves examining a person’s mood history, behaviors, sleep patterns, and other symptoms over time, rather than just reacting to a single moment or emotional response.

When we rely on assumptions instead of facts, we risk overlooking those who need support and misjudging those who don’t. Challenging this myth encourages a more accurate, respectful, and empathetic understanding of bipolar disorder — one that centers clinical care over speculation.