• Mental Health
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • ADHD
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy
      • Online Therapy for Teens
      • Best LGBTQ Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy for Insurance
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Grief Counselors
    • Online Therapists
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
  • Mental Health
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • ADHD
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy
      • Online Therapy for Teens
      • Best LGBTQ Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy for Insurance
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Grief Counselors
    • Online Therapists
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
Skip to content

Bipolar Disorder Statistics & Resources

Published: August 17, 2021 Updated: November 24, 2022
Published: 08/17/2021 Updated: 11/24/2022
Headshot of Melissa Boudin, PsyD
Written by:

Melissa Boudin

PsyD
Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Reviewed by:

Dena Westphalen

PharmD
  • Bipolar Disorder FactsOverview
  • Bipolar Disorder Rates by AgeAge
  • Bipolar Disorder Rates by GenderGender
  • Bipolar Disorder & Co-Occurring DiagnosesComorbidities
  • Has There Been an Increase in Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis?Increase
  • Treatment for Bipolar DisorderTreatment
  • Additional ResourcesResources
Headshot of Melissa Boudin, PsyD
Written by:

Melissa Boudin

PsyD
Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Reviewed by:

Dena Westphalen

PharmD

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is marked by intense mood swings of mania or hypomania that have major impacts on relationships, work, and daily life. It can be treated with a combination of therapy and medication. If you know someone with bipolar disorder or are suffering from bipolar, here’s what you need to know.

Find a supportive therapist that can help with bipolar. BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp

Visit BetterHelp

Bipolar Disorder Facts

Bipolar disorder affects 2.6 million every year.

The following statistics pertain to bipolar disorder generally:1,2

  • 2.8% of adults had bipolar disorder in 2001 to 2003
  • Of those adults, 82.9% had serious impairment, one of the highest for any mood disorder
  • About 17.1% had moderate impairment
  • Those with bipolar are more likely to have suffered from greater instances of childhood trauma and internalized shame than those without
  • According to another study, about 50% of those with bipolar also suffered from childhood trauma

Bipolar Disorder Rates by Age

Age can play a large part in diagnosis and prevalence, depending on when symptoms were noticed and how long it takes to get a diagnosis. Adolescents make up a significant part of bipolar diagnosis.

The following are statistics about bipolar disorder by age:1

  • According to the NIMH, 4.7% of adults with bipolar in 2001 to 2003 were 18 to 29 years old
  • In that same study, 3.5% of adults were aged 30 to 44
  • And 2.2% of adults were aged 45 to 59
  • 2.9% of adolescents aged 13 to 18 were diagnosed with bipolar disorder from 2001-2003
  • 2.6% of them had severe impairment
  • The highest prevalence of cases was found in adolescents aged 17 to 18 (4.3%)
  • Adolescents aged 15 to 16 made up 3.1%
  • Adolescents aged 13 to 14 made up 1.9%

Bipolar Disorder Rates by Gender

There are small but noticeable differences in bipolar disorder rates by gender:1

  • NIMH states that the diagnosis rate between men and women is very similar, 2.9% to 2.8%, respectively
  • This is slightly different for adolescents aged 13 to18, where females make up 3.3% of cases versus 2.6% in males

Bipolar Disorder & Co-Occurring Diagnoses

Those with bipolar may also suffer from other diagnoses, and may also struggle with substance abuse.

The following statistics pertain to other co-occurring mental health disorders that are seen alongside bipolar disorder:2,3,4

  • Those with bipolar may also suffer from anxiety, ADHD, or PTSD
  • According to SAMSA, 30 to 50% of those with bipolar will develop a substance abuse disorder in their lives
  • Alcohol is usually misused by people with bipolar
  • Bipolar patients with co-occurring alcohol use disorder are less likely to seek out or maintain a treatment plan
  • They are also more likely to be hospitalized and attempt suicide
  • Those with severe manic episodes may also be at risk of bipolar psychosis, with symptoms such as hallucination or delusions

Help For Bipolar Disorder

Talk Therapy – Get help from a licensed therapist that has expertise with bipolar. Betterhelp offers online therapy starting at $60 per week. Get matched With A Therapist


Virtual Psychiatry – Get help from a real doctor that takes your insurance. Talkiatry offers medication management and online visits with top-rated psychiatrists. Take the online assessment and have your first appointment within a week. Free Assessment

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp and Talkiatry.

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is marked by intense mood swings of mania or hypomania that have major impacts on why bipolar relationships fail, work difficulty, and daily life. It can be treated with a combination of therapy and medication. If you know someone with bipolar disorder or are suffering from bipolar, here’s what you need to know.

Has There Been an Increase in Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis?

There are a number of factors that can have an effect on bipolar diagnoses, such as overdiagnosis, incorrect diagnosis, and more. But have bipolar diagnoses been more prevalent recently?

The following statistics pertain to the amount of bipolar disorders being diagnosed:5,6

  • A 2007 New York Times article stated that bipolar diagnoses had increased 40-fold in children from 1994 to 2003, but the research has experts on both sides questioning the reason.
  • One theory is that the addition of Bipolar II diagnosis and the “broadening conceptualization of bipolar spectrum disorders” may be responsible.
  • There may also be a significant overlap between ADHD and bipolar, especially for children who don’t quite fit into one diagnosis. This can lead to complications when diagnosing either.

Treatment for Bipolar Disorder

Like other mental health conditions, bipolar disorder can usually be successfully treated with a combination of therapy and medication, which vary depending on the severity of the diagnosis.

Treatment for bipolar disorder is effective:7

  • According to one study, patients taking medication for bipolar symptoms are more likely to recover faster if they also participate in intensive psychotherapy
  • 64% of those patients taking both medication and intensive psychotherapy had “become well”
  • Those patients were also 1.5 times more likely to be well at any given month during the trial year
  • Those in family-focused therapy also had higher rates of recovery

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for marketing by the companies mentioned below.

Talk Therapy 

Online-Therapy.com – Get support and guidance from a licensed therapist. Online-Therapy.com provides 45 minute weekly video sessions and unlimited text messaging with your therapist for only $64/week. Get started  Get Started

Virtual Psychiatry

Talkiatry Get help from a real doctor that takes your insurance. Talkiatry offers medication management and online visits with top-rated psychiatrists. Take the online assessment and have your first appointment within a week. Free Assessment

Starting Therapy Newsletter

A free newsletter for those interested in learning about therapy and how to get the most benefits out of therapy. Get helpful tips and the latest information. Sign Up

DBT Skills Course

Jones Mindful Living Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a popular treatment for BPD. Learn DBT skills with live weekly classes and online video courses for only $19 per month. Free One Week Trial

Choosing Therapy Directory 

You can search for therapists by specialty,  experience, insurance, or price, and location. Find a therapist today.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by Jones Mindful Living, Online-Therapy.com, and Talkiatry.

For Further Reading

  • National Alliance on Mental Illness – Bipolar Disorder
  • Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
  • National Institute of Mental Health – Resources
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
7 sources

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • NIMH » Bipolar Disorder. (2017, November 1). National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/bipolar-disorder

  • SAMSA. (2016). An Introduction to Bipolar Disorder and Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders (HHS Publication No. (SMA) 16–4960). https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma16-4960.pdf

  • Bipolar disorder | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). National Mental Health Alliance. Retrieved August 5, 2021, from https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Bipolar-Disorder

  • NIMH » Bipolar Disorder. (2021, August 6). National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/#part_152505

  • Carey, B. (2007, September 3). Bipolar disorder cases rise sharply in U.S. children. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/03/world/americas/03iht-health.4.7366376.html

  • Moran, M. (2007). Several Theories Try to Explain Rise in Bipolar Diagnoses. Psychiatric News, 42(19), 18–29. https://doi.org/10.1176/pn.42.19.0018

  • NIMH » Intensive Psychotherapy More Effective Than Brief Therapy for Treating Bipolar Depression. (2007, April 2). [Press release]. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/intensive-psychotherapy-more-effective-brief-therapy-treating-bipolar-depression

Recent Articles

What Causes Bipolar Disorder?
What Causes Bipolar Disorder?
Researchers and mental health experts speculate that several risk factors, including genetics and environment, affect someone’s chance of developing...
';
Bipolar Disorder Treatment: Medication & Therapy Options
Bipolar Disorder Treatment: Medication & Therapy
The treatment for bipolar disorder involves a combination of medication, therapy, education, lifestyle changes, and social support. It is...
';
What It Is Like Having a Bipolar Parent_ Effects _ How to Cope
Having a Bipolar Parent: Effects & How to Cope
Having a parent with bipolar disorder can be difficult, especially if the condition is undiagnosed or untreated. How to...
';
Bipolar Disorder: Types, Causes, & Treatments
Bipolar Disorder: Types, Causes, & Treatments
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a psychiatric disorder that can result in major mood swings. Fortunately,...
';
Why Do People with Bipolar Disorder Blame Others
Bipolar Disorder & Blaming Others: What Is the Link?
Bipolar disorder is a challenging condition to live with, requiring various lifestyle adjustments to manage it well. At times,...
';
FT Addiction _ Bipolar Disorder_ Understanding the Connections
Addiction & Bipolar Disorder: Understanding the Connections
Research indicates a strong relationship between bipolar disorder and addiction. Though this relationship is not entirely understood, it is...
';
Headshot of Melissa Boudin, PsyD
Written by:

Melissa Boudin

PsyD
Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Reviewed by:

Dena Westphalen

PharmD
  • Bipolar Disorder FactsOverview
  • Bipolar Disorder Rates by AgeAge
  • Bipolar Disorder Rates by GenderGender
  • Bipolar Disorder & Co-Occurring DiagnosesComorbidities
  • Has There Been an Increase in Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis?Increase
  • Treatment for Bipolar DisorderTreatment
  • Additional ResourcesResources
If you are in need of immediate medical help:
Medical
Emergency
911
Suicide Hotline
800-273-8255
See more Crisis Hotlines
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Write for Us
  • Careers
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • No Surprises Act
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
988
Click For More Crisis Hotlines
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
811
See more Crisis Hotlines
here
logo
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.
This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.
Choosing Therapy Logo
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit Cookie Settings to provide controlled consent. Cookie settings ACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

We use cookies to facilitate website functionality. Also, we use third-party cookies to track your website behavior and target advertising. These cookies are stored in your browser only with your consent, and you have the choice of opting out.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non Necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

Save & Accept