Episode Threshold

The episode threshold in bipolar disorder refers to the point at which the brain’s mood-regulation systems can no longer maintain stability and a manic, hypomanic, or depressive episode begins. It represents the amount of stress, sleep disruption, or biological activation the system can absorb before tipping into illness. A higher threshold means the system is more resilient and larger disruptions are required to trigger an episode. A lower threshold means the system has become more sensitive, so smaller disruptions — such as sleep loss, schedule changes, or stress — may be enough to trigger an episode.