How We Treat Bipolar Disorder at TAC (And Why It Works)
- Nathan Fite
- Aug 4
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 12
It starts with something small.
A string of sleepless nights.
An outburst that feels way bigger than the moment.
A sudden flood of energy... followed by days you can’t get out of bed.
You try everything: new routines, new approaches.
But nothing works the way it used to.
Maybe you’re the one holding it all together, unsure why it keeps falling apart.
Or maybe someone you love seems like a completely different person.
Either way, the ripple effects can be hard to untangle.
Why does everything feel like too much or not enough?
Why can’t there just be a middle ground?
Is this something more than moodiness?
You’re not imagining it.
And you’re not broken.
You might be navigating Bipolar Disorder.
This guide breaks down what Bipolar really looks like, what’s happening in the brain, and how our specialized care at The Anxiety Center helps people stabilize, grow, and feel like themselves again.
👉 Fill out our 30-second form to get started
What Bipolar Disorder Really Looks Like (It’s Not Just Moodiness)
Bipolar doesn’t always show up the way you expect.
One person shared they’d go from feeling unstoppable to unable to get out of bed, all within a week.
It’s not just "mood swings."
It’s intense energy followed by deep crashes.
It’s irritability that escalates into rage.
It’s feeling invincible, then feeling worthless.
And in real life, it often shows up as:
Extreme highs (mania or hypomania)
Staying up all night or sleeping all day
Risky or impulsive behavior
Racing thoughts or talking too fast
Withdrawing from friends, work, or school
Saying things like “I hate myself” or “What’s the point?”
These aren’t bad behaviors or character flaws.
They’re brain-based symptoms.
They’re your nervous system saying,
“I can’t regulate this.”
Neuroscience backs this up.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), brain imaging studies show that people with Bipolar Disorder often have heightened activity in the amygdala, an area linked to emotion regulation, and disrupted patterns in their circadian rhythm, which helps regulate sleep and mood. These neurological differences help explain why mood shifts can feel so intense and unpredictable.
"When someone tells me they feel like they’re either on top of the world or drowning, I take that seriously. These shifts are real. They’re exhausting." — Sarah Snow, MSW, LSW, TAC Dayton Office, Clinician
If you’ve noticed a pattern that doesn’t fit typical ups and downs, you’re not alone. And your instincts matter.
👉 Fill out our 30-second form to get started
🛠️ The Tools That Actually Help: How We Treat Bipolar Disorder at TAC
Our care is built around one truth: Stability comes from understanding.
At TAC, we use evidence-based tools that honor your lived experience and help rebuild structure, safety, and hope.
Here’s what our bipolar treatment can include:
When your mood feels unpredictable and nothing seems to help. We help find a medication plan that actually supports your brain and your life.
When emotions feel overwhelming, and you need tools to get through without spiraling.
When your thoughts feel like the enemy. This helps reframe patterns and build stronger coping tools.
When weekly therapy isn't enough, and you need deeper, more consistent support to stabilize.
👨👩👧 Family & Partner Support
When your loved ones want to help but don’t know how. We help them learn how to support your healing.
We work with people from across Cincinnati, Dayton, and Indianapolis, from young adults to older adults navigating years of cycling.
"Bipolar Disorder can make people feel like they’re constantly swinging between extremes. Our job is to help bring things back to center, slowly, steadily, and with compassion." — Ali Rentschler, LSW, TAC Indianapolis Office, Associate Clinician
You don’t have to have the perfect words.
You just need a place to start.
👉 Fill out our 30-second form to get started
🌱 What Progress Really Looks Like
Healing from Bipolar isn’t linear.
But you’ll start to notice the signs:
Someone who couldn’t sleep starts resting through the night.
A person who used to spiral through the highs and crashes starts to feel stable.
Someone who felt like a stranger to themselves begins to reconnect.
We’ve seen people find language for what they’re feeling.
We’ve seen families stop walking on eggshells and start breathing again.
Someone once shared, “I didn’t realize how much I was living in crisis... until I wasn’t.”
We’ve supported many college students who’ve struggled to attend class.
One composite story: a student who hadn’t been for weeks is now back on track and even mentoring others.
“Progress doesn’t mean you never struggle again. It means you have tools, support, and enough self-trust to get through it. That’s what we help people build.” — Lisa Willis, LSW, TAC Indianapolis Office, Associate Clinician
With time, support, and a personalized plan, things can change.
You can feel that shift from the inside out.
🚀 Starting Bipolar Treatment at TAC: What Happens First (And Why It’s So Simple)
👉 Fill out our 30-second form to get started
We start with something simple.
Listening.
No pressure to explain everything.
No expectations of where you “should” be.
Just a safe space to say,
“I’m struggling. And I need help.”
You’re not alone.
And you’re not failing.
You’re already doing the most important thing: seeking support.
Let us walk with you the rest of the way.
DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; always consult a licensed professional.
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