Have you ever thought, why does the mood of a person change so frequently? It’s because mood swings are often misunderstood. Sudden changes in emotions, energy, or behavior can be confusing for both, the person who is experiencing this and mental health professionals. Two conditions that are frequently mistaken for each other are Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Bipolar Disorder.
These both conditions involve emotional distress which can have similar symptoms but can show different patterns. Let’s understand both the terms and identify the difference between them.
Why PTSD and Bipolar Disorder Are Often Confused
PTSD[1] and Bipolar Disorder[2] are classified under different categories in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5[3]). Bipolar disorder is related to mood disorder meanwhile PTSD is related to trauma disorder.
Despite this, both conditions can involve:
- Mood instability
- Depression
- Problems in getting sleep
- Difficulty in concentrating
Understanding Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder is primarily a mood regulation disorder. The key feature is episodic changes in mood and energy levels, which are not always linked to external events.
Mood Episodes in Bipolar Disorder are:
1. Depressive Episodes
- Person might feel sad or empty constantly
- Person is usually low in energy and motivation
- Person might lose interest in daily activities
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Changes in sleep and appetite
2. Mania Episodes
- Reduced need for sleep
- Rapid speech and overthinking
- Impulsive or risky behavior
- Low self-confidence
3. Hypomanic[4] Episodes
- Increased productivity and energy
- Elevated mood without severe impairment
These episodes can last days to weeks, and depressive episodes may last much longer if untreated.
Understanding PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can be there because of experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. This trauma may be sudden, overwhelming, and life-threatening, leaving a lasting psychological impact.
To better understand how PTSD differs from complex trauma, read our complete guide on CPTSD vs PTSD: Key Differences, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.[5]
Common Causes of PTSD
Experiences that can be the cause of PTSD are:
- Sexual or physical assault
- Serious accidents or injuries
- Natural disasters
- Medical trauma
- Sudden death of a loved one
- Violence or war
Where Symptoms Overlap
Some symptoms can appear in both PTSD and Bipolar Disorder, which is why confusion happens:
- Depressive moods
- Feelings of guilt, anger, or fear
- Pessimistic[6] thinking
- Difficulty concentrating
- Insomnia[7]
- Loss of interest in activities
For example, a person with PTSD may appear depressed for long periods, similar to bipolar depression. At the same time, irritability in PTSD can sometimes resemble hypomania.
Diagnosis and Treatment Challenges
Because symptoms overlap, misdiagnosis can happen. Treating PTSD as Bipolar Disorder may delay recovery.
- Bipolar Disorder often requires mood stabilizers
- PTSD treatment focuses on trauma therapy, such as CBT or EMDR
Accurate diagnosis usually involves:
- Detailed trauma history
- Mood episode tracking
- Psychological assessment over time
When to Seek Help
If mood swings begin to interfere with daily life, relationships, or work, professional evaluation is essential. Early diagnosis improves treatment outcomes for both conditions.
Important Note on Safety
If you ever feel like harming yourself or feel overwhelmed by suicidal thoughts, please reach out for immediate support. You can also give a call on 14416, it is available for 24/7 in multiple languages. Sometimes, all you need is someone to listen and stand by your side.
Final Thoughts
PTSD and Bipolar Disorder may look similar, but they are not the same. One is rooted in trauma, the other in mood regulation. Understanding the pattern, triggers, and context of mood changes can make a significant difference in diagnosis and healing.
Learn more about: The Dangers of EMDR Therapy: Risks, Side Effects, and Warnings
References
We value truthful content. 7 sources were referenced during research to write this content.
- Bisson, J. I., Cosgrove, S., Lewis, C., & Roberts, N. P. (2015, November 26). Post-traumatic stress disorder. Bmj. BMJ. http://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h6161
- Gautam, S., Jain, A., Gautam, M., Gautam, A., & Jagawat, T. (2019). Clinical practice guidelines for bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) in children and adolescents. Indian Journal of Psychiatry. Medknow. http://doi.org/10.4103/psychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_570_18
- Clark, L. A., Cuthbert, B., Lewis-Fernández, R., Narrow, W. E., & Reed, G. M. (2017, November). Three Approaches to Understanding and Classifying Mental Disorder:ICD-11, DSM-5, and the National Institute of Mental Health’s Research Domain Criteria (RDoC). Psychological Science in the Public Interest. SAGE Publications. http://doi.org/10.1177/1529100617727266
- Post, R. M. (2007, January). Kindling and sensitization as models for affective episode recurrence, cyclicity, and tolerance phenomena. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. Elsevier BV. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2007.04.003
- Bisson, J. I., Cosgrove, S., Lewis, C., & Roberts, N. P. (2015, November 26). Post-traumatic stress disorder. Bmj. BMJ. http://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h6161
- (1985, May 1). Hopelessness and eventual suicide: a 10-year prospective study of patients hospitalized with suicidal ideation. American Journal of Psychiatry. American Psychiatric Association Publishing. http://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.142.5.559
- Qaseem, A., Kansagara, D., Forciea, M. A., Cooke, M., Denberg, T. D., & for the Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians*. (2016, July 19). Management of Chronic Insomnia Disorder in Adults: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine. American College of Physicians. http://doi.org/10.7326/m15-2175
