4 Lies Bipolar Wants You to Believe (And What to Tell Yourself Instead)
- Nathan Fite
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Sometimes the hardest part isn't the mood swings themselves, it's the feeling that you can't trust your own mind or body anymore.
You wake up full of energy one week.
You feel exhausted the next.
You question why your emotions seem so unpredictable.
If that sounds familiar, you're not broken.
You're experiencing the echoes bipolar disorder leaves behind.
At The Anxiety Center, our clinicians in Cincinnati, Dayton, and Indianapolis have walked with hundreds of people through this same struggle, helping them understand that bipolar disorder does not define who they are.
This guide will help you see these experiences for what they truly are, your body's signals and attempts at protection, and show gentle ways to regain balance and empowerment.
Lie 1: “I Should Be in Control All the Time.”
What It Sounds Like:
“I shouldn’t feel this unstable.”
“If I were stronger, I’d stop the highs and lows.”
Why It’s Not True:
Bipolar is a neurobiological condition, not a willpower issue.
Brain imaging studies show differences in how areas that regulate emotion, like the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, communicate, affecting energy and mood regulation.
“Changes in sleep or energy aren’t moral failures, they’re signals. Once you notice them early, you can act before the wave crests.” — Jeremy Nelson, LPCC, TAC Dayton Office, Associate Clinician
Try Saying Instead:
“My mood shifts don’t mean I’m out of control, they remind me to use my tools.”
Evidence: “NIMH (2023) notes that changes in sleep and energy are common early warning signs in bipolar disorder, and tracking these patterns can help families respond sooner.”
Source: National Institute of Mental Health, Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens, 2023
Lie 2: “If I Feel Good, I Don’t Need Medication.”
What It Sounds Like:
“I’m fine now.”
“I don’t want to depend on meds.”
Why It’s Not True:
Feeling better often means your treatment plan is working
.Stopping medication abruptly is associated with a markedly higher risk of relapse into mania or depression.
Any medication changes should be done gradually under medical supervision.
At TAC, clinicians emphasize shared decision-making and transparent conversations about side effects, helping families maintain adherence safely.
“There’s a maintenance routine, but the goal isn’t to make the disorder go away, it’s to stay consistent and steady.”— Jeremy Nelson, LPCC, TAC Dayton Office, Associate Clinician
Try Saying Instead:
“Feeling well is my sign to stay consistent, not to stop.”
Evidence: “Long-term adherence to mood stabilizers significantly reduces relapse risk, especially when medication changes are made gradually and under supervision.”
Source: Goldstein & Birmaher, Current Psychiatry Reports, 2014
Lie 3: “Sleep Is Optional When I’m Doing Well.”
What It Sounds Like:
“I don’t need much sleep lately.”
“I’ll catch up later.”
Why It’s Not True:
Sleep is one of the most powerful stabilizers for people with bipolar disorder.
Circadian rhythm disruptions can precipitate mood episodes, and keeping consistent sleep and daily routines is a key protective strategy.
“Sleep is the number-one early warning sign. Less desire for sleep or racing thoughts, those are cues to slow down and rebalance.”— Jeremy Nelson, LPCC, TAC Dayton Office, Associate Clinician
Try Saying Instead:
“Protecting my sleep protects my stability.”
Evidence: “Maintaining regular sleep-wake routines is linked to lower relapse risk in adults, with growing evidence for similar benefits in adolescents.”
Source: National Institute of Mental Health, Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens, 2023
Lie 4: “This Will Always Control My Life.”
What It Sounds Like:
“My relationships will always suffer.”
“I’ll never be steady.”
Why It’s Not True:
Bipolar disorder can be managed effectively with integrated care, therapy, medication, and lifestyle balance.Approaches like Family-Focused Therapy (FFT) have the strongest evidence in youth for improving functioning and extending time between episodes.
CBT adaptations for youth show symptom and functioning gains, while DBT-informed skills are often used as an adjunct to help with emotion regulation and impulsivity.
“Success isn’t the absence of symptoms, it’s living in your values, improving where bipolar causes the most friction.”— Jeremy Nelson, LPCC, TAC Dayton Office, Associate Clinician
Try Saying Instead:
“I can live fully with bipolar disorder. It doesn’t get the final word.”
Evidence: “Recent randomized trials of Family-Focused Therapy and family-based CBT report improved functioning and longer stability between mood episodes in adolescents with bipolar disorder.”
Source: American Journal of Psychiatry, Integrated Therapies Review, 2023
You Don’t Have to Carry This Alone
If you see yourself in these patterns, it can feel exhausting.
But here’s the truth: bipolar recovery and stability are possible.
With evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Family-Focused Therapy (FFT), and medication management, people learn to better understand their moods, strengthen emotional regulation, and rebuild balance in their lives.
At The Anxiety Center, serving clients in Cincinnati, Dayton, and Indianapolis, we’ve seen firsthand how healing happens.
It takes the right support, the right tools, and the belief that you are worth healing.
What feels impossible today can become manageable tomorrow.
The first step is remembering you don’t have to carry it alone.
And if you’re ready to take one small step today, you can fill out a 30-second form to match with a therapist who gets it.
We’ll walk with you from there.
👉 Fill out our 30-second form to get started.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a licensed professional for personalized care.
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