Unlocking the Mystery of Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms, Solutions, and Hope

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, encompasses a spectrum of severity where individuals experience extreme mood swings between manic and depressive episodes. Lesser-known aspects include mixed episodes, rapid cycling, and a potential link between the disorder and creativity. Diagnosis delays are common due to symptom complexity and stigma, despite its strong genetic component. Physical health implications, seasonal patterns, and medication challenges highlight the multifaceted nature of managing bipolar disorder, alongside the importance of lifestyle management. Tailored treatment plans and professional support are essential for individuals navigating this complex condition.

Daniel J. Fox, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist in Texas, international speaker, and a multi-award-winning author. He has been specializing in the treatment and assessment of individuals with personality disorders for over 20 years in the state and federal prison system, universities, and in private practice. His specialty areas include personality disorders, ethics, burnout prevention, and emotional intelligence.

He has published several articles and books in these areas and is the author of:

Complex Borderline Personality Disorder: How Coexisting Conditions Affect Your BPD and How You Can Gain Emotional Balance. Available at:

00:00 Introduction
00:30 Why it’s called bipolar disorder
01:03 Bipolar disorder or impulse control disorder?
01:26 Bipolar disorder severity
02:30 What are mixed episodes?
03:43 Rapid Cycling
04:49 Manic or hypomanic episodes
05:49 Creative connections
06:37 Delay in bipolar disorder diagnosis
09:17 Genetic Factors
10:10 Family history of bipolar disorder
10:48 Bipolar disorder and physical health
11:05 Medical conditions and bipolar disorder
13:42 Seasonal mood patterns (seasonal affective disorder)
14:31 Medication Challenges
16:59 Lifestyle management

[nancyweber]

I have found that being taken off my meds confirms my diagnosis.

[lo-ulnq]

Thank you Dr. Fox you are so right about everything. It's so very true. Thank you for being honest with us.

[victoriaa.]

Thank you for posting this, Dr. Fox! :)

I especially appreciate your explanation of how our symptoms affect our judgment in ways that can lead to us discontinuing our meds. Friends and family who are willing to hold us accountable are worth their weight in gold!

[emilykathleenn]

You are so smart. I bet you are great with your patients

[honieebean]

Love the videos! It would be interesting to know the difference between bipolar and ADHD. Seems there's alot of overlap of symptoms

[user_kHbwns]

Thank you for a video with interesting information. There are so many videos by others on YT that just talk about the basic info.

[stephbowler]

Thank you for sharing this video. It was very informative.

[jld]

Thank you Dr. Fox.
Do you have experience or opinion of treating mental health issues with alternative treatments over pharmaceuticals?

I was diagnosed with bipolar at 17 after a psychotic break that landed me in an inpatient psych ward. I believe the break came as a result of trauma.
I am now 64, thank God med free and finally am learning how trauma affected my brain.
I am beyond blessed!!

[Misunderstood_]

When I was diagnosed with BPD/Bipolar I have been struggling with suicidal ideation every day

[mentalhealthwithalana]

I have Schizoaffective Disorder Bipolar Type

[nancyweber]

I think gambling should be added to alcohol and drugs. Slots ate my drug of choice.

[HaosCosmic]

i got schizo med from my dock, i for sure thank her, im more stupid then ever... i feel so better without.. fml, but once you get used to it, its something that you never feel alone... for sure.(im type1)

[mentalhealthwithalana]

I have manic episodes that last 3 to 4 weeks

[danielhernandez-fomj]

I think that part about not while 8nder the influence is not so balck and white ... expecully with alot of peole including myself arnt high when in therapy .... and can still say that there reactions happen even whej not under in it's bad to not diagnosis while peole use because sometimes the treatment will help them get off the as a bpd person my meds were what helped me beabke to use my skills.... I do think we need to find a more conducive way to treat peole as once I stopped using meth often to almost never my antidepressant had to be changed or stopped as it caused me to have more panic attacks .... and I read later efrexor is used with recovering meth use but to belive you can't diagnosis whej someone is using is still not helpful .... though I do think you have tk be more strick on how you diagnosis

[kevintewey]

Bullying harmful and dangerous acts
😮some of these medications are deadly