Life-changing online care for bipolar disorder

Brightside is available to people 18 years and older in the states where Brightside operates who believe they may be experiencing depression and may benefit from treatment.

Remote care is not a good fit for people with certain conditions or situations. These include (but are not limited to):

• Previous suicide attempt or active suicide planning
• Ongoing, high risk self-harm behavior
• Recent involuntary hospitalization for psychiatric reasons
• Schizophrenia or any symptoms of psychosis
• Certain severities of Bipolar Disorder and symptoms of mania
• Substance abuse problems
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Eating disorder with high-risk symptoms
• Kidney or liver disease, seizures, or long QT (for Psychiatry plan only)

Our providers do not treat, and do not prescribe for adhd.

If any of these describe you, it’s best for you to be seen by a provider in person so you can get the care that’s right for you.

Brightside makes it easy to get top quality depression care from the privacy of home.

Here’s how Psychiatry works:

1. Take the assessment: Answer questions about yourself to provide the information your provider will need to thoroughly evaluate your situation.
2. Connect with a psychiatric provider: Get matched with an expert psychiatric provider for a comprehensive video consultation. Share how you’re feeling, then decide on the best next steps — together. These conversations normally last about 15 minutes to review your situation, discuss your care plan, and answer any questions you may have. 
3. Follow your care plan: If the provider chooses to prescribe, your medication will be sent to your local pharmacy. Your plan also includes digital therapy, and self-care tools you can use at your own pace.
4. Make progress: We’ll ask you to tell us about your symptoms and side effects weekly, allowing the provider to monitor your progress and make any necessary changes to your care plan, so you can get the best results.

Here’s how Therapy works:

1. Take the assessment: Tell us what you’re experiencing, and we’ll help you understand what it means.
2. Connect with a Therapist: Connect with an expert, licensed therapist by messaging and with access to one 45-minute video appointment included with your subscription each week. You will continue to have Unlimited messaging support and guidance to help you build skills and feel better.
   
3. Complete sessions: Complete personalized, self-paced audio lessons and practice exercises, building the evidence-based skills and habits you need to overcome your depression and anxiety.
4. Make Progress: Report back on what’s working well for you and where you want to go deeper with the option to purchase additional video sessions if you choose. Your therapist will help guide you through your personalized program so you see the best results.

When scheduling your first appointment, you can browse all of our available providers in your state. Take a look at their profiles and check open times to find the best fit for you. Every Brightside provider undergoes a rigorous hiring and vetting process to ensure the highest quality care.

Brightside currently accepts select insurance plans in various states for payment of your provider’s or therapist’s services. Please see below for a current listing of plans. Brightside may not be included in all plans that each health insurance company offers. Please contact your health insurance plan to verify that your care at Brightside will be covered.

We currently accept the following insurance plans:

• Cigna (all states, except MN)
• Aetna (nationwide)
• Allegience (nationwide)
• Anthem (CA only)
• United Health (select states)

If you are a new member signing up for services you can enter your insurance information during the sign-up process. We’ll let you know your eligibility, as well as you estimated co-pays and out-of-pocket costs (if any) before signing-up or scheduling.

We also accept HSA/FSA payment if you have one of those accounts. If you have questions about using your medical or prescription insurance benefits, please contact us by emailing [email protected].

Our providers primarily treat bipolar II disorder, and can provide care for stable bipolar I disorder absent acute mania.

Mental health providers diagnose bipolar disorder based on a person’s symptoms, history, experiences, and family history, if applicable.

At Brightside Health, your mental health provider will provide a comprehensive evaluation before diagnosis. If you already have a diagnosis, that’s okay too. They’ll listen to your symptoms and concerns, and learn about your history. Then they’ll recommend a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

While researchers are still learning about bipolar disorder, genetics is a known risk factor. Studies have shown that people with certain genes may be more likely to develop bipolar disorder. Having a parent, sibling, or other close family member with bipolar disorder may also increase your risk.

If you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, or have any of the symptoms listed above, it’s important to talk to a mental health professional.

While bipolar disorder is a lifelong mental health condition, it can be managed with proper treatment so you can live a healthy and active life.

Medication and therapy are effective treatments for bipolar disorder. Having a healthy lifestyle and a support network can also help you manage symptoms.

Medication
Mood stabilizers and antipsychotics may be used to treat bipolar disorder. Treatment plans may also include medications that target sleep or anxiety. Your psychiatric provider may consider prescribing antidepressant medication to treat depressive periods alongside a mood stabilizer for manic and hypomanic periods.

At Brightside Health, you can start the right treatment faster. Your psychiatric provider will recommend medication using our PrecisionRx tool, which analyzes over 1,000 medication/dose combinations to find the one most likely to be effective for you.

Therapy
Evidence-based therapy can also help with bipolar disorder. By learning coping skills and learning to better respond to challenging emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, you can get support for your goals and help reduce your symptoms.

At Brightside Health, our therapy program is based on the Unified Protocol, an evidence-based approach based on a solid foundation of research. With virtual therapy sessions, interactive lessons, and skill practice, you can work 1:1 with your licensed therapist and access support when you need it.