How Prevalent Is Bipolar Disorder?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBipolar Disorder PrevalenceBipolar Prevalence in KidsComorbidities in Bipolar DisorderBipolar Disorder and Communities of ColorCauses of Bipolar DisorderTreatment and Coping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Bipolar Disorder Prevalence

Bipolar Prevalence in Kids

Comorbidities in Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder and Communities of Color

Causes of Bipolar Disorder

Treatment and Coping

Close

Bipolar disorderis a serious mood disorder that impacts people around the world. Though bipolar is still ahighly stigmatized mental health conditionthe truth is that it is rather common throughout the United States.

Read on to learn about bipolar disorder, just how prevalent it truly is, its causes, and treatment.

Is Bipolar Disorder Hereditary? Understanding Your Risk

Current statistics state that 4.4% of individuals in the United States will bediagnosedwith bipolar disorder. It is worth noting that this number may be significantly higher—plenty of people may have this condition but never receive a diagnosis. On the other hand, people may also bemisdiagnosedwith another condition, meaning they have bipolar disorder and don’t know it.

While there isstigmarelated to mental health concerns as a whole, the stigma of bipolar disorder is present in our society, particularly due to media depictions of those suffering from this condition. However, it is important to remember that this is a prevalent condition.

It is somewhat rare to hear ofbipolar being diagnosed in childrenunder the age of 13. This disorder is most commonly diagnosed in early adulthood, though it can also onset during the adolescent years. Researchers have ruled that while it is possible for bipolar disorder to develop in children, it is ultimately challenging to diagnose correctly since symptoms occur in the midst of developmental changes.

This being said, bipolar disorder is fairly prevalent in adolescents between the ages of 13 to 18 years old. Current estimates find 2.9% of adolescents have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, with girls having a higher prevalence than boys.

9 Things Not to Say to Someone Who Has Bipolar Disorder

Sometimes mental illnesses can co-exist, something that is often referred to in research as comorbidities. According to a 2018 study surveyinggenderdifferences andco-occurring diagnosesin U.S. adults, 50.8% of male participants with bipolar disorder also had a diagnosis ofdrug abuse, and another 28.5% struggled withalcohol abuse. Women were less likely to have bipolar and substance-use disorders.

When it comes to the diagnoses women may experience alongside bipolar disorder, the same study found that women had twice the likelihood of also having aPTSD diagnosiswhen compared to men. Additionally, while the odds of those surveyed having an eating disorder in addition to bipolar were quite low, women were 11 times more likely to have an eating disorder and a bipolar diagnosis than men.

While there may be gender differences when it comes to co-occurring diagnoses, research rules that the prevalence of bipolar disorder doesn’t differ amongst gender identities.

Understanding Bipolar Disorder and Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Racial disparities don’t discriminate when it comes to bipolar disorder in communities of color.African AmericanandLatinxpeople experiencing bipolar disorder have a higher rate of misdiagnosis when initially seeking help. For example, a foundational study conducted in 1983 found that Black and Latinx people were initially diagnosed with schizophrenia rather than bipolar disorder.

Unfortunately, misdiagnosing can lead to major lapses in care, with individuals being prescribed inappropriate medication or even receiving care that heightens their bipolar symptoms.

Researchers suspect this disparity is due to both racial bias and clinicians inappropriately assessing psychotic symptoms. Furthermore,the impact of systemic racismcreates significant barriers to accessing care. In considering how this issue can be addressed, researchers have urged for further research on bipolar disorder in communities of color.

When it comes to the prevalence of bipolar disorder acrossracial identities, a study found that out of the 7,523,956 U.S. adults surveyed, 1.1% of those diagnosed with bipolar were White. This is significantly more than the 0.2% ofAsian, 0.3% of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, 0.5% of Hispanic, and 0.7% of Black respondents who were diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

This data doesn’t necessarily mean that people of color simply don’t experience bipolar disorder at the same rate as White individuals. Instead, it indicates that barriers to care and discrepancies in diagnosing could be an issue in providing accurate data on the prevalence of bipolar disorder in communities of color.

What Are Delusions?

Bipolar disorder has a strong link togeneticsand chemical imbalances. Genetically speaking, this disorder often shows up repeatedly throughout a bloodline. That being said, one person having bipolar disorder doesn’t necessarily mean the rest of thefamilywill as well. A study conducted on twins validates this fact. One twin developed a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, while the other never developed it.

Neurotransmitter abnormalities contribute to the development of bipolar disorder. Issues withneurotransmitterscan be hereditary, tying the two causes of bipolar disorder together. Neurotransmitters are essential because they facilitate communication between the cells in our body, which in turn impacts cognitive function. When these neurotransmitters malfunction, cognitive function can be impaired, resulting in symptoms of bipolar disorder presenting themselves.

Effects of Premenstrual Symptoms on Bipolar

There are effective treatment options for managing bipolar disorder, though there is no cure. With the right treatment, there can be extended periods of time where no bipolar symptoms are present. The recommended treatment regimen is comprised of medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes.

A Word From Verywell

Experiencing bipolar disorder can feel scary and lonely. Remember, this is a prevalent mental health condition, and you are not alone. If you are experiencing this disorder and haven’t already, seek out the support of a licensed mental health professional. Finding asupport groupof others who are living with this condition can be extraordinarily helpful, as well.

If you or a loved one are struggling with bipolar disorder, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with bipolar disorder, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

9 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Bipolar disorder.National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Bipolar disorder statistics.Birmaher B.Bipolar disorder in children and adolescents.Child Adolesc Ment Health.2013;18(3):10.1111/camh.12021. doi:10.1111/camh.12021National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar Disorder Statistics.Patel RS, Virani S, Saeed H, Nimmagadda S, Talukdar J, Youssef NA.Gender differences and comorbidities in u.s. adults with bipolar disorder.Brain Sci.2018;8(9):168. doi:10.3390/brainsci8090168Karanti A, Bobeck C, Osterman M, et al.Gender differences in the treatment of patients with bipolar disorder: A study of 7354 patients.J. Affect. Disord.2015;174:303-309. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2014.11.058Akinhanmi MO, Biernacka JM, Strakowski SM, et al.Racial disparities in bipolar disorder treatment and research: a call to action.Bipolar Disord. 2018;20(6):506-514. doi:10.1111/bdi.12638Coleman KJ, Stewart C, Waitzfelder BE, et al.Racial/ethnic differences in diagnoses and treatment of mental health conditions across healthcare systems participating in the mental health research network.Psychiatr Serv. 2016;67(7):749-757. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201500217Maletic V, Raison C.Integrated neurobiology of bipolar disorder.Front Psychiatry. 2014;0. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2014.00098

9 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Bipolar disorder.National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Bipolar disorder statistics.Birmaher B.Bipolar disorder in children and adolescents.Child Adolesc Ment Health.2013;18(3):10.1111/camh.12021. doi:10.1111/camh.12021National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar Disorder Statistics.Patel RS, Virani S, Saeed H, Nimmagadda S, Talukdar J, Youssef NA.Gender differences and comorbidities in u.s. adults with bipolar disorder.Brain Sci.2018;8(9):168. doi:10.3390/brainsci8090168Karanti A, Bobeck C, Osterman M, et al.Gender differences in the treatment of patients with bipolar disorder: A study of 7354 patients.J. Affect. Disord.2015;174:303-309. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2014.11.058Akinhanmi MO, Biernacka JM, Strakowski SM, et al.Racial disparities in bipolar disorder treatment and research: a call to action.Bipolar Disord. 2018;20(6):506-514. doi:10.1111/bdi.12638Coleman KJ, Stewart C, Waitzfelder BE, et al.Racial/ethnic differences in diagnoses and treatment of mental health conditions across healthcare systems participating in the mental health research network.Psychiatr Serv. 2016;67(7):749-757. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201500217Maletic V, Raison C.Integrated neurobiology of bipolar disorder.Front Psychiatry. 2014;0. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2014.00098

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Bipolar disorder.National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Bipolar disorder statistics.Birmaher B.Bipolar disorder in children and adolescents.Child Adolesc Ment Health.2013;18(3):10.1111/camh.12021. doi:10.1111/camh.12021National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar Disorder Statistics.Patel RS, Virani S, Saeed H, Nimmagadda S, Talukdar J, Youssef NA.Gender differences and comorbidities in u.s. adults with bipolar disorder.Brain Sci.2018;8(9):168. doi:10.3390/brainsci8090168Karanti A, Bobeck C, Osterman M, et al.Gender differences in the treatment of patients with bipolar disorder: A study of 7354 patients.J. Affect. Disord.2015;174:303-309. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2014.11.058Akinhanmi MO, Biernacka JM, Strakowski SM, et al.Racial disparities in bipolar disorder treatment and research: a call to action.Bipolar Disord. 2018;20(6):506-514. doi:10.1111/bdi.12638Coleman KJ, Stewart C, Waitzfelder BE, et al.Racial/ethnic differences in diagnoses and treatment of mental health conditions across healthcare systems participating in the mental health research network.Psychiatr Serv. 2016;67(7):749-757. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201500217Maletic V, Raison C.Integrated neurobiology of bipolar disorder.Front Psychiatry. 2014;0. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2014.00098

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Bipolar disorder.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Bipolar disorder statistics.

Birmaher B.Bipolar disorder in children and adolescents.Child Adolesc Ment Health.2013;18(3):10.1111/camh.12021. doi:10.1111/camh.12021

National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar Disorder Statistics.

Patel RS, Virani S, Saeed H, Nimmagadda S, Talukdar J, Youssef NA.Gender differences and comorbidities in u.s. adults with bipolar disorder.Brain Sci.2018;8(9):168. doi:10.3390/brainsci8090168

Karanti A, Bobeck C, Osterman M, et al.Gender differences in the treatment of patients with bipolar disorder: A study of 7354 patients.J. Affect. Disord.2015;174:303-309. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2014.11.058

Akinhanmi MO, Biernacka JM, Strakowski SM, et al.Racial disparities in bipolar disorder treatment and research: a call to action.Bipolar Disord. 2018;20(6):506-514. doi:10.1111/bdi.12638

Coleman KJ, Stewart C, Waitzfelder BE, et al.Racial/ethnic differences in diagnoses and treatment of mental health conditions across healthcare systems participating in the mental health research network.Psychiatr Serv. 2016;67(7):749-757. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201500217

Maletic V, Raison C.Integrated neurobiology of bipolar disorder.Front Psychiatry. 2014;0. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2014.00098

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?