Bipolar disorder is a complex mood disorder — but with the right psychological support alongside medical management, people with bipolar disorder lead full, stable, and meaningful lives.
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Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterised by episodes of mania or hypomania (elevated, expansive, or irritable mood with increased energy) and episodes of depression. It affects approximately 2–3% of Australians and typically emerges in late adolescence or early adulthood.
Bipolar disorder exists on a spectrum. The key subtypes are:
Bipolar disorder involves two distinct mood states, each with characteristic symptoms:
During manic or hypomanic episodes:
During depressive episodes:
Many people with bipolar disorder spend significantly more time in depressive episodes than manic ones — which is why it is frequently misdiagnosed as unipolar depression. Accurate diagnosis is critical to effective treatment.
Bipolar disorder affects approximately 2–3% of Australians. The average time from first symptoms to correct diagnosis is 8–10 years — highlighting the importance of accurate assessment.
Living with bipolar disorder can significantly affect relationships, employment, and quality of life — particularly when episodes are frequent or severe. With consistent psychological support alongside appropriate medical management, the majority of people with bipolar disorder achieve long-term stability and functional recovery.
Medication is often an important component of bipolar disorder management, but psychological treatment plays an equally important role. Psychological therapy helps by:
Randomised controlled trials demonstrate that psychological interventions significantly reduce episode frequency, severity, and hospitalisation rates in bipolar disorder, particularly when combined with pharmacological treatment.
The psychologists at The Talk Shop use approaches with the strongest evidence base for bipolar disorder:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Bipolar Disorder (CBT-BD) — addresses the thought patterns and behaviours that trigger or maintain mood episodes, and builds skills for managing the depressive and manic phases.
Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) — targets the disrupted social rhythms and interpersonal stressors that precipitate mood episodes, with a strong focus on sleep and routine regularity.
Family-Focused Therapy (FFT) — involves family members or partners in psychoeducation and communication skills, reducing expressed emotion and relapse rates.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) — particularly effective for reducing depressive relapse and improving psychological flexibility.
Your first session is a 50-minute assessment covering your mood history, episode patterns, current functioning, and treatment goals. Your psychologist will develop a personalised treatment plan and coordinate with your GP or psychiatrist to ensure integrated care.
Treatment typically involves 10–20 sessions and focuses on psychoeducation, early warning sign identification, relapse prevention planning, and building the psychological resilience to manage the long-term course of the condition.
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Do I need a psychiatrist as well as a psychologist?
For many people with bipolar disorder, a team approach is most effective. Your psychologist can provide psychological treatment while your GP or psychiatrist manages medication. We are experienced in working collaboratively within such teams.
Can therapy help even when I’m stable?
Yes — psychological treatment is most effective when started during a stable phase, as this is when the skills for managing future episodes can be learned and practised effectively.
Is bipolar disorder curable?
Bipolar disorder is a long-term condition, but it is highly manageable. With the right combination of psychological support, medication (where indicated), and lifestyle management, many people live full lives with minimal episode disruption.
Our experienced psychologists work with clients across the bipolar spectrum, in partnership with GPs, psychiatrists, and other treating professionals. Appointments are available in person across 4 Melbourne clinics and via Telehealth. Call 1300 224 665 or book online.
Geddes, J.R., & Miklowitz, D.J. (2013). Treatment of bipolar disorder. The Lancet, 381(9878), 1672–1682.
Miklowitz, D.J. (2008). Adjunctive psychotherapy for bipolar disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 165(11), 1408–1419.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2022). National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing. ABS.
