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Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder involves episodes of depression and mania or hypomania with significant changes in mood, energy, sleep and activity. It differs from ordinary day-to-day mood variation.

At a glance

Quick facts

Category
Mental and behavioural health
What it is
Bipolar disorder involves episodes of depression and mania or hypomania with significant changes in mood, energy, sleep and activity.
Typical presentation
During mania, reduced need for sleep, increased energy, unusually elevated or irritable mood and risky decisions may occur; depressive episodes can impair functioning.
Assessment
Diagnosis requires longitudinal history, episode duration, impact and exclusion of substance- or medically induced symptoms.
Treatment approach
Mood-stabilizing medicines, selected other treatments, psychotherapy, routine sleep patterns and ongoing follow-up are important.
Key safety concern
Suicidal thoughts, psychosis, severe mania or inability to maintain basic safety need urgent mental-health assessment.

Names & terminology

Understanding the name

Bipolar disorder involves episodes of depression and mania or hypomania with significant changes in mood, energy, sleep and activity. It differs from ordinary day-to-day mood variation.

Clinical reference

Clinical profile

Summary
CategoryMental and behavioural health
What it isBipolar disorder involves episodes of depression and mania or hypomania with significant changes in mood, energy, sleep and activity.
Typical presentationDuring mania, reduced need for sleep, increased energy, unusually elevated or irritable mood and risky decisions may occur; depressive episodes can impair functioning.
AssessmentDiagnosis requires longitudinal history, episode duration, impact and exclusion of substance- or medically induced symptoms.
Treatment approachMood-stabilizing medicines, selected other treatments, psychotherapy, routine sleep patterns and ongoing follow-up are important.
Key safety concernSuicidal thoughts, psychosis, severe mania or inability to maintain basic safety need urgent mental-health assessment.

Overview

Bipolar disorder involves episodes of depression and mania or hypomania with significant changes in mood, energy, sleep and activity. It differs from ordinary day-to-day mood variation.

Symptoms and presentation

During mania, reduced need for sleep, increased energy, unusually elevated or irritable mood and risky decisions may occur; depressive episodes can impair functioning.

CLINICAL FEATURES

Presentation and warning signs

The pattern varies and cannot replace an individual assessment.

Clinical overview
Presentation
  • During mania
  • reduced need for sleep
  • increased energy
  • unusually elevated or irritable mood and risky decisions may occur
Clinical assessment
  • Diagnosis requires longitudinal history, episode duration, impact and exclusion of substance- or medically induced symptoms
  • Interpret results with history and examination
When to seek urgent care
  • Suicidal thoughts, psychosis, severe mania or inability to maintain basic safety need urgent mental-health assessment.

Emergency symptoms and clinical severity should be assessed locally.

Clinical assessment and diagnosis

Diagnosis requires longitudinal history, episode duration, impact and exclusion of substance- or medically induced symptoms.

ASSESSMENT

How the clinical assessment proceeds

Exact investigations depend on the clinical context.

Clinical workflow
1Define the symptom patternDuring mania, reduced need for sleep, increased energy, unusually elevated or irritable mood and risky decisions may occur; depressive episodes can impair functioning.
2Assess disease or alternative causesDiagnosis requires longitudinal history, episode duration, impact and exclusion of substance- or medically induced symptoms.
3Discuss care and monitoringMood-stabilizing medicines, selected other treatments, psychotherapy, routine sleep patterns and ongoing follow-up are important. Antidepressants alone are not appropriate for every presentation.

Treatment and management

Mood-stabilizing medicines, selected other treatments, psychotherapy, routine sleep patterns and ongoing follow-up are important. Antidepressants alone are not appropriate for every presentation.

Treatment & care hub

Elements of care

Individual treatment is based on diagnosis, comorbidities and clinician assessment.

Management overview
Confirm diagnosisFirst step

Understand the underlying condition

Diagnosis requires longitudinal history, episode duration, impact and exclusion of substance- or medically induced symptoms.

Tailor treatmentIndividualized

Choose evidence-based management

Mood-stabilizing medicines, selected other treatments, psychotherapy, routine sleep patterns and ongoing follow-up are important. Antidepressants alone are not appropriate for every presentation.

Monitor safetyImportant

Recognize warning signs

Suicidal thoughts, psychosis, severe mania or inability to maintain basic safety need urgent mental-health assessment.

Diagnosis→Tailored care→Monitoring

Complications and when to seek help

Suicidal thoughts, psychosis, severe mania or inability to maintain basic safety need urgent mental-health assessment.

EVIDENCE AND DATA

Interpreting population statistics

Comparable, disease-specific prevalence or incidence data have not yet been curated for this entry. No prevalence estimate is supplied.

MedlinePlus Health Topics ↗
Data availabilityNot quantifiedUse condition-specific epidemiology, not estimated figures
No unsupported regional or country comparison is presented.

Frequently asked questions

What is Bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder involves episodes of depression and mania or hypomania with significant changes in mood, energy, sleep and activity. It differs from ordinary day-to-day mood variation.

How is it assessed?

Diagnosis requires longitudinal history, episode duration, impact and exclusion of substance- or medically induced symptoms.

When should I seek urgent help?

Suicidal thoughts, psychosis, severe mania or inability to maintain basic safety need urgent mental-health assessment.

Sources

  1. MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine — Bipolar disorder — health topic ↗
  2. NIMH — Mental health topics ↗

This is an editorial evidence summary awaiting independent clinician review. It is not a diagnosis, a treatment plan, or a substitute for personalized medical care.

Related health topics

Mental and behavioural health