Bipolar disorders (there are several different kinds) are among the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed of mental disorders. Patients can go years before receiving an accurate diagnosis. That’s because people who are “up” rarely seek treatment; they usually seek treatment when they are “down” and thus get a diagnosis of depression.

Some bipolar patients experience extreme mood swings (bipolar I) while others seem down most of the time with periods of being “up” (bipolar II.) Others may experience moodiness to a lesser degree than Bipolar I (think smaller roller-coaster ride) and be given the diagnosis of cyclothymic disorder. Once a person is receiving medical treatment, counseling can focus on coping skills for managing this disorder.