Have you found that certain events, medications, or even the weather trigger your bipolar 1 disorder? This isn’t just your imagination. Various factors can bring about mania or depression. These episodes can last from several days to a couple of weeks and can interfere with your daily life.

In this article, we’ll discuss what happens during bipolar 1 episodes, some common triggers, and the factors that affect how long they last. We’ll also cover tips for managing your episodes, including when to talk to your healthcare provider.

What Are Bipolar 1 Episodes?

Bipolar 1 disorder is a serious mental health condition. It involves intense mood swings and changes. It’s sometimes written with a Roman numeral, bipolar I disorder. People with bipolar 1 have episodes of mania and depression. Some experience mixed episodes with features of both.

Symptoms of mania include:

• Having abnormally high energy levels and feeling overly excited or jumpy
• Overindulging in sexual activities or food
• Using alcohol or drugs in risky or excessive ways
• Needing less sleep than normal
• Having racing thoughts and talking quickly about several topics at once
• Feeling unusually powerful or important
• Taking on many activities at once without getting tired

On the other hand, depressive episodes are defined by intense feelings of sadness and anxiety. Other depressive symptoms include:

• Having trouble making decisions or concentrating
• Struggling to complete daily tasks and responsibilities, like cleaning or going to work
• Having a hard time falling or staying asleep or sleeping too much
• Losing interest in activities or hobbies you enjoy
• Forgetting things more often
• Searching for words or talking very slowly in conversations
• Feeling worthless or hopeless
• Thinking about death or suicide

Note: If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or chatting online.

During a manic or depressive episode, you may experience symptoms for most or all of the day, several days in a row. When you’re not having an episode, your mood may be more stable, and you might be able to function normally.

A common question is: Do people with bipolar disorder remember manic episodes? Research has found that both manic and depressive episodes may include impaired memory about what exactly happened during the episode. In a small study with 74 people with bipolar disorder, participants had a harder time remembering the events during a depressed period versus a manic episode.

Research has found that both manic and depressive episodes may include impaired memory about what exactly happened during the episode.

What Triggers a Bipolar Episode?

Everyone’s bipolar 1 disorder is different. But some common triggers bring about mood episodes or symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Stressful Events

Everyone feels stressed at times. While some people can manage stressful events, people with bipolar 1 may respond by having severe mood swings. One study found that stressful or negative life events like losing a job, getting a divorce, and experiencing the death of a family member can trigger episodes of depression.

If you’re experiencing a lot of stress or recently had a major life event, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor and a mental health professional (like a therapist). They can help you process your emotions and adjust your treatment as needed.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that aims to change thought patterns that drive anxiety and stress and replace them with healthy ones. Researchers have found that CBT can be a useful treatment for symptoms like anxiety and depression.

Difficulties Sleeping

Our brains and bodies need sleep to rest and repair themselves. Without enough sleep, you’re at a higher risk of long-term health problems. Sleep disturbances can also trigger bipolar mood episodes — especially manic episodes.

In a 2017 study of people with bipolar disorder, 20 percent said sleep loss triggered mania, and 11.4 percent reported that it triggered a depressive episode. The authors also found that females and people with bipolar 1 disorder were more likely to have manic episodes than males and people with other types of bipolar disorder.

If you’ve noticed changes in your sleep patterns, talk to your doctor. They can connect you with a therapist or another specialist who can help. You can also take steps to practice good sleep hygiene, including limiting your screen time and avoiding large meals or caffeine before bed.

Certain Medications

Bipolar 1 disorder can be treated with antipsychotic drugs, mood stabilizers, and antidepressants. Taking an antidepressant alone without a mood stabilizer may also trigger a manic episode. Be sure to follow the medication instructions provided by your doctor to avoid this.

Other types of medications, like corticosteroids and thyroid hormone replacement therapy, can trigger manic episodes. Compared to the general population, people with bipolar disorder are more likely to have thyroid disease and may need hormone replacement therapy.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder, including manic episodes, can be triggered by substance use — such as alcohol or certain drugs — or by withdrawal from these substances.

If you’ve recently started a new medication and notice mood symptoms of a manic or depressive episode, make an appointment with your doctor. They’ll modify your treatment plan to avoid triggering future episodes.

Seasonal Changes

It’s common to feel a bit down or not quite life your usual self in the fall and winter months. Many people start to feel better in the spring and summertime, when there’s more daylight. But for some, these seasonal changes can bring on more intense symptoms of sadness or depression — this is known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression with a seasonal pattern.

While SAD is uncommon in the general population, it affects around one-quarter of people with bipolar disorder. Studies show that changes in the weather — like cloudiness, temperatures, and rainfall — can all trigger new bipolar mood episodes.

Seasonal affective disorder occurs in 0.5 to 3 percent of individuals in the general population; it affects 10 to 20 percent of people with major depressive disorder and about 25 percent of people with bipolar disorder.

If you know your moods tend to shift during a certain time of year or with certain weather, you can work closely with your doctor to create a plan. They can adjust your medication dosage in the fall or winter to prevent triggering an episode. You can also meet with a therapist to learn new skills for managing depression in the fall and winter.

Studies show that changes in the weather — like cloudiness, temperatures, and rainfall — can all trigger new bipolar mood episodes.

How Long Do Manic and Depressive Episodes Last?

To be diagnosed with bipolar 1 disorder, your episodes have to last a certain amount of time. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), mania must last at least seven days, and depressive episodes must last at least 14 days. Per NIMH, you can also be diagnosed with bipolar 1 if your manic episodes are severe enough that you require treatment in a hospital.

Some people may experience four or more mood episodes within one year. This is known as rapid cycling, which affects about half of the people with bipolar disorder eventually. During rapid cycling, bipolar disorder symptoms can change quickly over a few hours or a few days.

Factors That Affect How Long Bipolar Episodes Last

The main factors that affect how long your mood episodes last include whether you’re currently receiving treatment and what kind of episode you’re having. Treatment helps shorten episodes. According to Cleveland Clinic, untreated manic episodes can last three to six months. Treated episodes typically get better within three months. If you’re not already taking medication for bipolar 1, talk to your doctor about your treatment options.

The main factors that affect how long your mood episodes last include whether you’re currently receiving treatment and what kind of episode you’re having.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On MyDepressionTeam, the social network for people with depression and related mental illnesses, more than 150,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share stories with those who understand life with mental health conditions.

What are some factors you notice that trigger bipolar 1 disorder episodes? How do depressive or manic symptoms affect you? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.