The National Institute of Mental Health defines bipolar disorder as a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out daily tasks. This premise assumes that bipolar states are inherently dysfunctional—that the mood shifts themselves cause the inability to function.
But what if their premise is wrong?
What if the problem isn’t the mood states, but our relationship to them?
If we assume that bipolar disorder must lead to dysfunction, then the only logical response is to try to suppress symptoms—using medication, hospitalization, or strict behavioral control. But if we instead assume that function is possible within mood states, our approach changes entirely. We stop trying to erase our experience and start learning how to manage and even benefit from it.
What if we CAN learn to function while manic or depressed?
Let’s use an analogy to better understand this concept.
When automobiles were first invented, many people died learning how to drive them. The public outcry was enormous. Critics said cars were too dangerous for ordinary people to use, and the government should ban them. Others argued that the solution wasn’t to eliminate cars, but to teach people how to drive safely.
That’s exactly what we did.
We developed driver education, traffic laws, and safety systems. We didn’t eliminate cars—we learned to drive better.
Now imagine if we had taken the opposite approach. Suppose we had decided that the best way to prevent accidents was to keep all cars permanently parked. We’d be safe, yes—but we’d never experience the freedom, efficiency, or possibilities that cars bring.
The same is true for bipolar states.
Instead of trying to eliminate the “vehicle” of our experience, we can learn to operate it safely. We can study the terrain, understand our limits, and develop the skills to function in every mood state.
The results prove the premise works.
Over twenty years ago, I accepted this new premise—that people can learn to function while manic or depressed—and built a system to test it. Thousands of participants have now used the Bipolar IN Order framework to track, understand, and improve their functionality in every mood state. The results consistently show that functionality and awareness can increase over time, even when mood intensity remains.
This doesn’t mean rejecting medical treatment. It means expanding the goal beyond symptom suppression to include functionality, awareness, and growth. It shifts the focus from control to capability.
The question is no longer whether bipolar experiences can be functional—it’s how we can best teach people to get there.
The understanding of IN Order concepts allows us to live fulfilling lives in solid relationships with our families or coworkers. Those around us are no longer negatively affected by our states and no longer live in fear of another episode. We no longer act badly when manic and can function normally no matter how deeply we are depressed. While we may not like depression, we see tremendous insight in the experience and use that insight in positive ways
