Is Bipolar Considered Neurodivergent?

Technically, Bipolar Disorder is considered a neurodivergent condition. Neurodivergence is considered brain variation that is outside of society’s norm, or neurotypical brain functions. A neurodivergent individual’s brain function simply operates differently than the “normal” brain. Neurodivergence is not a deficit, but rather points out that someone’s neurological activity works in unique ways. Neurodiversity, on the other hand, refers to the idea that there is natural variation within the human brain. 

Neurodivergence can include autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, dyslexia, and Tourette syndrome. 1 AMFM Mental Health Treatment has over a decade of experience providing compassionate and personalized treatment for the neurotypical community. If you or a loved one are struggling with Bipolar Disorder, you don’t have to walk through the search for a safe and supportive mental health treatment center alone. Call our caring admissions team today to take the first steps toward a higher quality of life, with healthcare designed to meet your unique needs.

Neurodivergent Conditions

When people think of neurodivergent individuals, individuals living with Autism Spectrum Disorder may come to mind. Recent studies suggest Autism and Bipolar share genetic links and can commonly co-occur in families. 2 While these conditions may be co-occurring, Autistic people and those with Bipolar Disorder or even Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) may be misdiagnosed due to the nature of the emotional dysregulation. Both Autism and Bipolar disorder can also be misdiagnosed due to some of the similar symptoms:

  • Neurodivergent energy flux and quick emotional shifts
  • Elevated or depressed mood
  • Special interest energy
  • Intense irritability/Aggression
  • Excessive talking,Racing thoughtsDistractibility
  • Impulsivity 
  • Repetitive activities or behaviors, such as pacing, OCD Symptoms 
  • Sleep disturbances

Find out about our free assessments and admissions process

We accept most major insurance providers and can check your coverage levels for you.

If we are not an appropriate provider for care, we will assist in finding a care provider that can help. 

More about Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder is defined by the American Psychological Association as a “serious mental illness in which common emotions become intensely and often unpredictably magnified.” 3 Bipolar disorder is often characterized by drastic mood swings from high-energy, happiness and productivity to lows of sadness, exhaustion and major depression, and the shift between these two phases can grow to be so intense that an individual may consider suicide. Studies have shown that individuals living with Bipolar Disorder are at increased risk to attempt suicide at least once in their life, by 25-60%.4

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Manic Episodes

In order to be diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder, according to the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5) an individual must experience at least one manic episode. Episodes of mania are generally characterized by mood changes, increased energy levels, rapid talking, increased grandiosity, (an overinflated sense of self), distractibility (which may be misattributed or related to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), engaging in impulsive or risky behavior, and more.

Hypomanic Episodes

Hypomania refers to a shorter duration of manic symptoms, with generally milder symptoms. In order to be diagnosed with Bipolar II, an individual must experience at least one episode of hypomania, in addition to an episode of depression (manic depression).

Depressive Episodes

In order to be diagnosed with Bipolar II, an individual must experience both a hypomanic and a depressive episode. Depressive episodes are characterized by low moods, suicidal thoughts, or other common symptoms of depression like loss of interest, low self-esteem, fatigue, or changes in appetite. 

If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal ideation and need immediate medical assistance, please call 911 for emergency medical attention, or 988, the National Suicide and Crisis hotline, which is available 24/7, free of cost.

General Inquiry Form

"*" indicates required fields

By submitting this form you agree to the terms of use and privacy policy and give my express written consent for AMFM Healthcare to contact me at the number provided above, even if this number is a wireless number or if I am presently listed on a Do Not Call list.

I understand that I may be contacted by telephone, email, text message or mail regarding my disability benefit case options and that I may be called using automatic dialing equipment. Message and data rates may apply. My consent does not require purchase. Message frequency varies. Text HELP for help. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.

Disclaimer
What to expect

Contact From Admission Representative:

Complete the form to receive a prompt call back from a member of our experienced and compassionate admissions staff. All communication is 100% confidential.

By submitting this form you agree to the terms of use and privacy policy and give my express written consent for AMFM Healthcare to contact me at the number provided above, even if this number is a wireless number or if I am presently listed on a Do Not Call list.

I understand that I may be contacted by telephone, email, text message or mail regarding my disability benefit case options and that I may be called using automatic dialing equipment. Message and data rates may apply. My consent does not require purchase. Message frequency varies. Text HELP for help. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.

Disclaimer

Bipolar I vs Bipolar II

Bipolar I Disorder is considered the most severe form of Bipolar Disorder, and is diagnosed when an individual enters a manic state, characterized by an intense mood swing “up,” consisting of high-energy, uncomfortable irritability, racing thoughts and impulsivity. While Bipolar 2 Disorder is also characterized by manic episodes, they may be shorter or less severe, referred to as hypomania. A person struggling with Bipolar II will experience depressive episodes, while an individual struggling with Bipolar I may or may not experience depression.

Additional Mental Health Conditions for Treatment

AMFM Mental Health Treatment has extensive experience treating a variety of mental health disorders–through evidence-based therapies, support groups, mental health resources and more–including but not limited to the following:

  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Depression
  • Eating Disorders
  • Cyclothymic Disorder & Mood Disorders
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 
  • Crisis & Traumatic Events
  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Psychosis 
  • Phobias
  • Schizophrenia
  • Panic Attacks

Recovery can feel isolating; mental health programming can provide treatment options and cohesive plans to help you or your loved one as you move forward.

Types of Therapy Offered for Bipolar Disorder

AMFM Mental Health Treatment offers a combination of holistic mental health services‌ and evidence-based therapies like the following:

Individual Therapy

Individual therapy takes place in a one on one setting with a licensed professional, usually consisting of a combination of dialectical and cognitive behavioral therapies, in which a person can talk through his or her individual struggles. Individual therapy and mental health care is one of the most crucial steps for those facing mental health challenges.

Group Therapy

Group therapy sessions can be used to help provide structured times to help you understand that you are not alone in your struggles, that your peers are also walking through these challenges, while also providing guidance, suggestions and communications from psychologists with specialized backgrounds. These groups can span a variety of backgrounds, including but not limited to art therapy, somatic therapy, and narrative therapy. 

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that’s focused on restructuring and reprogramming maladaptive and negative thought processes. Psychologists are trained to help you change your cognitive and emotional processes in order to outgrow coping mechanisms that may no longer be serving you.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is most commonly referred to as “talk therapy,” and is designed to help process emotions. Qualified professionals offer psychological therapy to move forward with healthy ways of engaging in interpersonal relationships and alleviating physical and emotional distress. 

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)

EMDR Therapy is a renowned method of reprocessing most often used in trauma therapy. By activating the prefrontal cortex through a series of bilateral stimulation, qualified professionals can lead you through traumatic experiences, helping you to alleviate the distress symptomized by trauma.

Crisis Intervention and Stabilization Services

A crisis is defined by the National Library of Medicine “as an overwhelming event, which can include divorce, violence, the passing of a loved one, or the discovery of a serious illness.”5 The goal of crisis intervention is to provide safety and reduce any potential harm to an individual undergoing a crisis.

TMS Therapy is a type of therapy that uses magnetic pulses to treat depression by stimulating neurotransmitters in the brain. This is a noninvasive method of treatment that some mental health programs offer for treatment of depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Family Therapy Programs

Family therapy may be used when a loved one’s mental health symptoms are affecting others. This can increase a family members’ understanding of anxiety and talk about how to support each other. Family therapy sessions and support groups can improve communication patterns, focus on problem-solving, address unresolved conflicts, and increase the sense of understanding among one another.

Psychiatric Care for Bipolar Disorder

AMFM Mental Health Treatment provides comprehensive psychiatric care, along with traditional therapeutic modalities. Our on-staff clinicians are equipped to design personalized treatment plans for your continued success. In combination with psychotherapy, psychiatric care is handled safely, to help you or your loved one overcome mental health challenges. 

Lithium

For over half a century, Lithium has been used as a mood stabilizer to treat bipolar disorder, treating both the manic episodes as well as the bipolar depression.6 However, Lithium treatment can have side effects and complications in long-term use on the kidney and thyroid, and it’s important that an individual keep his or her clinical team in the loop on any side effects as they come up.

Antidepressants and Antipsychotics

Antidepressants and antipsychotics are both commonly used (alone and in tandem) in the treatment of Bipolar Disorder as mood stabilizers. However, rapid cycling is sometimes a side effect that is associated with antidepressant treatment in bipolar disorder.7 Conventional antipsychotics have been proven to be effective for short-term treatment of Bipolar Disorder, but there has been little research on the long-term efficacy of antipsychotics and antidepressants for BD.

Verify Your Insurance

By submitting this form you agree to the terms of use and privacy policy and give my express written consent for AMFM Healthcare to contact me at the number provided above, even if this number is a wireless number or if I am presently listed on a Do Not Call list.

I understand that I may be contacted by telephone, email, text message or mail regarding my disability benefit case options and that I may be called using automatic dialing equipment. Message and data rates may apply. My consent does not require purchase. Message frequency varies. Text HELP for help. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.

Disclaimer

What to expect

Insurance Verification:

Our team will verify if your insurance provider is in-network with an AMFM Healthcare Facility.

Contact From Admission Representative:

Expect a call within an hour from an admissions representative to discuss treatment options.

By submitting this form you agree to the terms of use and privacy policy and give my express written consent for AMFM Healthcare to contact me at the number provided above, even if this number is a wireless number or if I am presently listed on a Do Not Call list.

I understand that I may be contacted by telephone, email, text message or mail regarding my disability benefit case options and that I may be called using automatic dialing equipment. Message and data rates may apply. My consent does not require purchase. Message frequency varies. Text HELP for help. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.

Disclaimer

A Future of Lasting Wellness Awaits at AMFM

AMFM Mental Health Treatment was founded to bring mental health resources and recovery to those who need it, meeting you with empathy at every step of the way. From admissions to aftercare, our teams are trained to provide the highest level of care, combining compassion with evidence-based personalized treatment plans. Our goal is to encourage and enable long-term behavioral growth and mental well-being in our mental health treatment facilities, to set our clients up for success for the rest of their lives.

You don’t have to embark on this journey alone. Call us to speak confidentially with a member of our care team today.

Neurodiversity and neurodivergence – ohio.gov. (n.d.-b). https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/ood.ohio.gov/Literature/ERAH_Neurodiversity%20at%20Work_Fact%20Sheet.pdf 

Bipolar vs. autism – neurodivergent insights. (n.d.). https://neurodivergentinsights.com/bipolar-and-autism/

American Psychological Association. (n.d.-a). American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/topics/bipolar-disorder 

Novick DM, Swartz HA, Frank E. Suicide attempts in bipolar I and bipolar II disorder: a review and meta-analysis of the evidence. Bipolar Disord. 2010 Feb;12(1):1-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-5618.2009.00786.x. PMID: 20148862; PMCID: PMC4536929.

MA, Carlberg K. “Crisis Intervention – StatPearls.” NCBI, 24 April 2023, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559081/. Accessed 20 February 2025.

Burdick KE, Millett CE, Russo M, Et. al, The association between lithium use and neurocognitive performance in patients with bipolar disorder. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2020 Sep;45(10):1743-1749. doi: 10.1038/s41386-020-0683-2. Epub 2020 Apr 29. PMID: 32349118; PMCID: PMC7419515.

Kusumakar V. Antidepressants and antipsychotics in the long-term treatment of bipolar disorder. J Clin Psychiatry. 2002;63 Suppl 10:23-8. PMID: 12392350.