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Bipolar Disorder Articles Bipolar Disorder Bipolar Disorder Treatments Bipolar Cycles Best Online Therapy

Bipolar Disorder Statistics & Resources

Headshot of Melissa Boudin, PsyD

Author: Melissa Boudin, PsyD

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Melissa Boudin PsyD

Dr. Melissa, clinical psychologist with 15+ years, specializes in depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief, focused on improving mental health access and resources.

See My Bio Editorial Policy
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Medical Reviewer: Dena Westphalen, Pharm.D Licensed medical reviewer

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Dena Westphalen PharmD

Dr. Dena Westphalen is a pharmacist with expertise in clinical research and drug information. She has interests in neurology, oncology, and global health.

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Published: November 6, 2023
  • General FactsGeneral Facts
  • Rates by AgeRates by Age
  • Rates by GenderRates by Gender
  • ComorbiditiesComorbidities
  • Increase in DiagnosisIncrease in Diagnosis
  • TreatmentTreatment
  • InfographicsInfographics
  • Additional ResourcesAdditional Resources

Bipolar disorder is marked by intense mood swings of mania or hypomania and depression 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.

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Bipolar Disorder Facts

An estimated 4.4% of U.S. adults experience bipolar disorder at some time in their lives.1

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 with bipolar 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 in 2004 was found in adolescents aged 17 to 18 (4.3%)
  • In 2004, Adolescents aged 15 to 16 made up 3.1%
  • In 2004, Adolescents aged 13 to 14 made up 1.9%
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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 more than 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

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 be treated with a combination of therapy and bipolar 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

Bipolar Disorder Statistics & Resources Infographics

Bipolar Disorder Facts Bipolar Disorder & Co-Occurring Diagnoses Treatment for Bipolar Disorder

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, ChoosingTherapy.com has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. ChoosingTherapy.com may be compensated for marketing by the companies mentioned below.

Online Psychiatry for Bipolar Disorder

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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

Best Online Therapy Services of 2025: Our Firsthand Experiences & Recommendations

Best Online Therapy Services

There are a number of factors to consider when trying to determine which online therapy platform is going to be the best fit for you. It’s important to be mindful of what each platform costs, the services they provide you with, their providers’ training and level of expertise, and several other important criteria.

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Best Online Psychiatry Services

Best Online Psychiatry Services

Online psychiatry, sometimes called telepsychiatry, platforms offer medication management by phone, video, or secure messaging for a variety of mental health conditions. In some cases, online psychiatry may be more affordable than seeing an in-person provider. Mental health treatment has expanded to include many online psychiatry and therapy services. With so many choices, it can feel overwhelming to find the one that is right for you.

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Sources Update History

ChoosingTherapy.com 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 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

Show more Click here to open the article sources container.

We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.

November 6, 2023
Author: No Change
Reviewer: No Change
Primary Changes: Updated for readability and clarity. Fact-checked all statistics and updated relevant sources.
August 17, 2021
Author: Melissa Boudin, PsyD
Reviewer: Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Show more Click here to open the article update history container.

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