Elizabeth Mabbott, LPC

When someone you care about is living with bipolar disorder, it can feel confusing, overwhelming, and emotionally exhausting at times. You may want to help, but not always know what to say or do. You may also struggle with your own feelings of worry, frustration, or helplessness when your loved one is going through a depressive episode, a manic episode, or a period of emotional instability. The truth is that supporting someone with bipolar disorder is not about fixing them or controlling...

Bipolar disorder is one of the most commonly misunderstood mental health conditions. Many people assume it simply means having frequent mood swings or being unpredictable. In reality, bipolar disorder is a structured and diagnosable condition that involves distinct shifts in mood, energy, and functioning that occur over time. These shifts are not the same as everyday emotional ups and downs. They are more intense, last longer, and can significantly impact a person’s ability to think clearly,...

From the outside, everything looks fine. You meet deadlines. You respond to emails. You show up for your family. You manage responsibilities. You may even be seen as driven, dependable, and high-achieving. But internally, it’s different. Your mind rarely slows down. You replay conversations. You overanalyze decisions. You struggle to relax. You feel tense even during downtime. And no matter how much you accomplish, it never quite feels like enough. This is often referred to as...