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Have you noticed big changes in your mood, energy, sleep, and how you act?
Bipolar disorder can look different later in life. With periods of poor sleep and high energy, rapid shifts in your mood, and times of restlessness or racing thoughts, it can be hard to make sense of what is going on.
Bipolar disorder in older adults
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, sleep, and behavior — including periods of depression and periods of unusually elevated or irritable mood.
Later in life, periods of low mood may happen more often. At the same time, episodes that might usually appear as high-energy or euphoria may instead show up as irritability, restlessness, anger, or confusion.
Older Adult Bipolar Disorder (OABD) is a nuanced and often overlooked condition that can be mistaken for dementia, typical aging, medication side effects, or other health problems - making it even more important to get the right diagnosis. Spotting it early, coordinating care, and personalizing treatment are key to helping individuals live well and feel supported.
Signs of bipolar disorder you might notice
Signs of the mania (high energy) phase can include reduced sleep, unusually high energy, racing thoughts, irritability and short temper, overtalkativeness, impulsive decision-making, and poor judgment leading to engagement in risky and unusual behaviors out of character.
Signs of the depressive phase can present as persistent sadness, emptiness, loss of interest or pleasure, extreme fatigue, feeling worthless or excessively guilty, making it difficult to function.
Physical Signs
With bipolar disorder, your body may experience an unusually reduced need for sleep or the opposite, feeling extremely fatigued or very high energy, and weight changes.
Emotional Signs
In addition to periods of depression and mania, bipolar disorder can impact your thinking with racing or slow-moving thoughts, talking fast or too much, trouble focusing, memory lapses, or confusion.
Behavioral Signs
Impulsive decision-making, unusual or poor choices, taking on too much and starting too many new projects all at once, inability to sit still, and social withdrawal can be behavioral indicators of bipolar disorder.
These changes may be subtle at first. A good indicator that support is needed is when a loved one has also noticed that your memory or thinking is different from before. If you’re still unsure, take this health screener, or please feel free to call us.
Living with bipolar disorder can be harder as time goes on. Experiencing new manic or depressive episodes can be more challenging to cope with. Thankfully, with the right support, it is possible to feel your best and live life on your terms.
As we age, our bodies handle meds differently—so even familiar doses can have stronger effects. That’s why older adults with bipolar disorder need close monitoring, ideally by a specialist in geriatric mental health. They can balance multiple conditions and medications, reducing risks and improving care.
If you're concerned about a loved one, watch for big mood swings, sleep changes, or risky behavior—and reach out for a full checkup and seek trained, thoughtful senior mental health care to make the most meaningful difference.
Does insurance cover help with bipolar disorder?
Our services support adults whose daily lives are impacted by medical conditions or major life changes. Most people we serve have little to no out-of-pocket costs for our mental health care, caregiver support, and additional care team services. We always check your coverage before your first appointment, so you know what to expect and there are no surprises.
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"While medication management for Bipolar Disorder is crucial, evidence-based therapy provides the daily blueprint for stability. By identifying early triggers and building structured routines, we help clients minimize the highs and lows to achieve a steady, balanced baseline."
Other resources
Want more information? Check out our related resources.
How to talk to your loved one about getting their symptoms evaluated
If you’ve noticed changes in a loved one like irritability, confusion, or just acting out of character, it can be hard to know what to do or how to help. Here are some ways you can get the conversation started with someone you care for.
Anxiety, depression, and sleep changes in older adults
Mental health concerns in older adults are often missed because they do not always look the way people expect. Anxiety, depression, and sleep problems may show up as irritability, physical complaints, confusion, withdrawal, or changes in routine rather than obvious sadness or panic. Recognizing these quieter signs can make a major difference in getting help sooner.
Care for bipolar disorder should be personal
If you or an aging loved one has been experiencing big shifts in mood, energy, sleep, focus, or behavior, you do not have to figure it out alone.
Give us a call, and our team will listen to how you’ve been feeling lately, talk through support options, check your coverage, and set you up with care that meets your specific needs.