DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

Back to Globe
Psychiatric Condition

Bipolar Disorder

HIGH SEVERITY

A mental health condition causing extreme mood swings including emotional highs (mania/hypomania) and lows (depression). Formerly called manic depression. Types I and II. Affects approximately 2.8% of adults globally.

Global Affected

45.0M

Countries

111

Symptoms

Manic episodes (elevated mood, decreased sleep)
Depressive episodes
Impulsive behavior
Racing thoughts
Increased energy/activity
Poor judgment
Psychosis (severe cases)
Rapid cycling (4+ episodes/year)

Treatment Options

Mood stabilizers (lithium, valproate, carbamazepine)
Second-generation antipsychotics
Antidepressants (with caution)
Psychotherapy
Psychoeducation
Family therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy (severe cases)
Ketamine/esketamine

Risk Factors

1Family history (strong genetic component)
2First-degree relative with bipolar
3High childhood adversity
4Substance abuse
5Sleep disruption
6Stressful life events
7Seasonal changes

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1Clinical interview (DSM-5 criteria)
  • 2Mood disorder questionnaires
  • 3Mood charting
  • 4Medical history review
  • 5Exclusion of medical causes
  • 6Substance use screening

Prognosis

Lifelong condition; 20% achieve functional recovery. 50% have recurrent episodes. Suicide risk 15-20x general population. Early diagnosis improves outcomes.

Prevention

  • No primary prevention
  • Early intervention
  • Mood monitoring
  • Sleep hygiene
  • Stress management
  • Medication adherence
  • Avoiding substance use

Research Status

Lithium remains gold standard for mood stabilization. Second-generation antipsychotics (quetiapine, lurasidone) approved. Ketamine for treatment-resistant depression. Brain stimulation techniques (TMS). Digital phenotyping for early detection. Research into circadian rhythm interventions.

Affected Countries

United StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanChinaIndiaBrazilRussiaSwedenNetherlandsBelgiumSwitzerlandAustriaDenmarkNorwayFinlandPolandCzech RepublicHungaryRomaniaBulgariaCroatiaSloveniaSlovakiaLTLVEEIrelandPortugalGreeceCYMTLUIcelandNew ZealandSouth KoreaSingaporeTaiwanHong KongMalaysiaThailandVietnamIndonesiaPhilippinesSouth AfricaNigeriaEgyptTurkeyIranSaudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitOmanJordanLebanonSyriaYemenIraqAfghanistanPakistanBangladeshLKNPMMKHLAMNKazakhstanUzbekistanTMKGTJAzerbaijanAMGEUkraineBelarusMDALBAMEMKSerbiaXKMexicoArgentinaChileColombiaPeruVenezuelaEcuadorUYPYBOCRPAGuatemalaHNSVNIBZJMHaitiDominican RepublicCuba

Sources

  • https://www.cdc.gov/
  • https://www.hematology.org/education/patients
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
  • https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.