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Bipolar Disorder Statistics & Resources

Published: August 17, 2021 Updated: May 12, 2022
Published: 08/17/2021 Updated: 05/12/2022
Headshot of Melissa Boudin, PsyD
Written by:

Melissa Boudin

PsyD
Headshot of Dena Westphalen, Pharm. D.
Reviewed by:

Dena Westphalen

Pharm. D.
  • 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
Headshot of Dena Westphalen, Pharm. D.
Reviewed by:

Dena Westphalen

Pharm. D.

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.

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 psychosis, with symptoms such as hallucination or delusions

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 referrals by the companies mentioned below.

BetterHelp Online Therapy – 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. Get Started

Talkspace Online Therapy – Online therapy is convenient with Talkspace. Get therapy for as little as $69 per week, or potentially much less if you have insurance from Cigna, Optum, or UHR. Try Talkspace

Choosing Therapy’s Directory – Find an experienced therapist who is committed to your wellbeing. You can search for a therapist by specialty, availability, insurance, and affordability. Therapist profiles and introductory videos provide insight into the therapist’s personality so you find the right fit. Find a therapist today.

Online Psychiatry & Medication – Answer a few questions and Talkspace will match you with an online prescriber and get schedule a video psychiatry session. Your online psychiatry prescriber will personalize your treatment, which may include psychiatric medication and follow-ups. Get started for $249 or see if your insurance is one of many Talkspace accepts. Learn More

Mindfulness & Meditation App – Headspace is an easy way to incorporate mindfulness and meditation into your routine. See for yourself how a few minutes each day can impact your stress levels, mood, and sleep. A monthly subscription for Headspace is only $12.99 per month and comes with a 7-day free trial. Try Headspace

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for referrals by BetterHelp, Talkspace, and Headspace

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

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Headshot of Melissa Boudin, PsyD
Written by:

Melissa Boudin

PsyD
Headshot of Dena Westphalen, Pharm. D.
Reviewed by:

Dena Westphalen

Pharm. D.
  • 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
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