Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, previously known as manic depression, is a mental disorder characterized by periods of depression and periods of abnormally elevated mood that last from days to weeks each. If the elevated mood is severe or associated with psychosis, it is called mania; if it is less severe, it is called hypomania. During mania, an individual behaves or feels abnormally energetic, happy or irritable, and they often make impulsive decisions with little regard for the consequences. There is usually also a reduced need for sleep during manic phases. During periods of depression, the individual may experience crying and have a negative outlook on life and poor eye contact with others. The risk of suicide is high; over a period of 20 years, 6% of those with bipolar disorder died by suicide, while 30–40% engaged in self-harm. Other mental health issues, such as anxiety disorders and substance use disorders, are commonly associated with bipolar disorder.

Read more in the app

Bipolar Disorder Linked to a Higher Risk of Early Death Than Smoking

Bipolar disorder linked to early death

Shroom compound psilocybin shows promise for bipolar disorder in early trial

New Cambridge Research: Simple Blood Test Can Help Diagnose Bipolar Disorder

Simple blood test can help diagnose bipolar disorder

Many People with Bipolar Disorder Use Cannabis. It May Sometimes Help

Study of 300,000 people finds telomeres, a hallmark of aging, to be shorter in individuals with depression or bipolar disorder and those with an increased genetic risk score for depression

Categorical and dimensional deficits in hippocampal subfields among schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder

Six lithium dose predictors for patients with bipolar disorder

Evidence of brain changes in those at risk of bipolar disorder captured with MRI scans

Scans Show Weakened Brain Connections in Adolescents at Risk of Bipolar Disorder

An algorithm may help clinicians recognize patients with bipolar disorder who are misdiagnosed with depression

Clues to treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder found in recently evolved region of the ‘dark genome’

Recently Evolved Region of the “Dark Genome” Offers Clues to Treatment of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder

Lithium imaging method could shine new light on bipolar disorder, treatment

Trial tests new technique to manage mood swings within bipolar disorder

Study identifies genetic risks for suicide death in individuals with bipolar disorder

DNA methylation changes and characteristics in neurons of bipolar disorder patients

Additional genetic risk variants behind bipolar disorder have emerged

Over 60 Genetic Links to Bipolar Disorder Identified in Largest Study to Date