What It’s Actually Like to Live With Bipolar Disorder

When people hear bipolar disorder, many still think it’s simply about being “really happy one day and really sad the next.” In reality, living with bipolar disorder is far more complex, and often far more exhausting, than that stereotype suggests.

In this post, we’re sharing what life with bipolar disorder can actually feel like, and how you can support yourself or someone you love. We’ve also included a powerful Goodful video, “What It’s Actually Like To Live With Bipolar Disorder,” which features people speaking openly about their experiences in their own words:

Alongside their voices, we’ll connect what they describe to what bipolar disorder is, how it’s treated, and where to find help here in the Okanagan through the Dakota Foundation and our community partners.

Bipolar disorder is more than “highs and lows”

On our “What is Bipolar Disorder?” page, we describe bipolar disorder as a bio-chemical condition that causes severe mood swings between manic (high) and depressive (low) states. These mood episodes can last days, weeks, or even months and can be devastating for the person and their family.

During manic or hypomanic phases, a person might:

  • Feel unusually energized or “wired”
  • Need very little sleep
  • Talk more quickly, with racing thoughts
  • Take risks with money, sex, driving, or substances
  • Believe things about themselves or the world that don’t quite match reality

During depressive phases, the same person may:

  • Struggle to get out of bed or complete basic tasks
  • Feel deep hopelessness, shame, or worthlessness
  • Withdraw from friends and family
  • Have thoughts of self-harm or suicide

For many, the hardest part isn’t just the mood swings themselves. It’s the constant uncertainty: Will today be a day I can function? Will I accidentally hurt someone I love during a manic episode? Will I lose everything if I crash again?

What the video highlights: real people, real lives

The Goodful video you’ll find embedded in this blog brings together people who live with bipolar disorder and asks them to share how it actually feels day to day. They talk not only about symptoms, but also about:

  • The relief of finally having a name for what they’ve gone through
  • The confusion and fear that often come before diagnosis
  • The ongoing work of managing medication, therapy, sleep, and stress
  • The impact on relationships, careers, and identity

Hearing lived experience in this way can be grounding. It reminds us that bipolar disorder is not a character flaw or a failure. It is an illness that can be treated, and people living with it are doing an extraordinary amount of invisible work to stay well.

As you watch, you might recognize yourself, your partner, a friend, or your child. If you do, you’re not alone—and there is help.

Myths vs. reality: clearing up common misconceptions

Because bipolar disorder is often misunderstood, stigma is still very real. Part of the Dakota Foundation’s mission is to reduce that stigma through education, early detection, and family support.

Here are a few myths we frequently encounter—and the reality behind them.

Myth 1: “People with bipolar disorder are always unstable.”
Reality: Many people with bipolar disorder live full, stable lives with the right combination of medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, and support. Mood episodes can still happen, but they are not constant.

Myth 2: “Bipolar disorder is just moodiness.”
Reality: These are not ordinary shifts in mood. Manic and depressive episodes deeply affect sleep, energy, judgment, relationships, and the ability to function at home, school, or work.

Myth 3: “If someone looks fine, they must be fine.”
Reality: Much of bipolar disorder is invisible. Some people appear very high-functioning on the outside while internally working incredibly hard just to stay grounded.

Myth 4: “Medication alone should fix everything.”
Reality: Medication is a cornerstone of treatment, but it often works best alongside therapy, education, lifestyle management, and a strong support system—something we emphasize throughout our resources and partnerships.

Early detection and getting help

If you see parts of yourself in this video or article, it can be scary. But it can also be the first step toward getting support.

On our “What is Bipolar Disorder?” page, we explain that early diagnosis and treatment lead to a better chance of getting and staying well.

If you’re concerned about yourself or someone you love:

  1. Talk to a doctor or mental health professional.
    Ask specifically about bipolar disorder and your full history of mood changes, sleep, energy, and behaviour.
  2. Write down what you’re noticing.
    Include how long episodes last, how often they happen, and how they affect school, work, or relationships.
  3. Involve a trusted family member or friend.
    They may be able to describe changes you don’t see in yourself.
  4. Use local resources.
    Our Resources / Need Help? page lists Okanagan-based clinics and organizations that provide integrated mental health care, including for bipolar disorder.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or thinking about suicide, please contact local emergency services or a crisis line right away.

What helps many people cope day to day

Everyone’s treatment plan is different and should be created with qualified health professionals. However, there are some patterns we see often in people who are managing bipolar disorder more successfully over time.

Many people find it helpful to:

  • Take medication exactly as prescribed.
    Suddenly stopping medication (especially when feeling “better”) can trigger intense mood episodes.
  • Build a regular sleep routine.
    Sleep changes can be both a warning sign and a trigger. Protecting sleep is often a key part of staying well.
  • Attend therapy or counselling.
    Therapy can help with coping skills, processing shame or grief, repairing relationships, and planning for future episodes.
  • Track moods and triggers.
    Journals or apps can help you and your care team notice patterns: seasons, stress, substance use, or big life changes.
  • Avoid alcohol and non-prescribed drugs.
    Substance use can mask symptoms, interfere with medication, and increase the risk of serious complications.
  • Stay connected to supportive people.
    Support groups, family, trusted friends, and community programs make it easier to reach out early when things start to shift.

If you’re in the Okanagan, the Dakota Foundation partners with organizations such as Healthy Essentials Clinic and Canadian Mental Health Association programs like Foundry to help connect individuals and families to appropriate services.

Supporting a loved one with bipolar disorder

If you’re a parent, partner, sibling, or friend, you may feel helpless watching someone you love struggle. Here are some ways to support them while also taking care of yourself:

  • Learn about the illness.
    Reading our educational pages and resources can help you understand what your loved one is going through and what bipolar disorder is not.
  • Listen without minimizing.
    Avoid phrases like “Everyone feels like that sometimes.” Instead, try: “That sounds really hard. I’m glad you told me.”
  • Ask how you can help during both wellness and crisis.
    Some families create a written “support plan” that lists warning signs, preferred supports, and who to call.
  • Encourage professional help, but don’t force it.
    Offer to help with appointments, transportation, or childcare, if appropriate, while respecting your loved one’s autonomy.
  • Set boundaries and seek your own support.
    Loving someone with bipolar disorder can be heavy. It’s okay to have limits and to reach out for your own counselling or support group.

Remember: you didn’t cause this illness, and you can’t cure it—but you can be an important part of a compassionate, stable support system.

You’re not alone: how the Dakota Foundation is helping in the Okanagan

The Dakota Foundation for Bipolar Awareness was created to honour Dakota Millen and transform a family’s grief into impact for others facing bipolar disorder. Our mission is to be a catalyst for bipolar awareness, fund early detection and treatment, engage family support, and reduce stigma across the Okanagan Valley.

We do this by:

  • Creating awareness and education through our website, social media, and blog posts like this one.
  • Partnering with local services such as Healthy Essentials Clinic, Foundry, CMHA, and others to support early detection, counselling, and wrap-around care.
  • Hosting and supporting community events—like the Miracle on 97th fundraiser—that raise both funds and visibility for those living with bipolar disorder in the Okanagan. castanet.net+1

Every story shared, every resource accessed, and every conversation started moves us a little closer to a community where people with bipolar disorder feel seen, supported, and hopeful.

Ways to get involved or seek support today

If this video or blog resonates with you, here are some next steps you can take right now:

Living with bipolar disorder is not easy—but it is possible to build a life that includes stability, purpose, and joy. Whether you are living with bipolar yourself or walking alongside someone who is, you deserve information, understanding, and compassionate support.

The Dakota Foundation is here to help you find all three.

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