How common is bipolar disorder?
If you have bipolar disorder, it might help to know that your condition is not unusual. Bipolar disorder happens in many different
cultures around the world.
Bipolar disorder affects about 1 to 2 people in 100 at some point in their lives.1
- The more serious type of bipolar disorder, type 1, affects about 1 in 100 people.1 2
- The milder type, type 2, seems to be more common. It affects about 2 to 3 in 100 people.3
- Men and women are equally likely to get bipolar disorder.4
- But women are more likely than men to have what is called rapid cycling. This is when you have four or more bouts of symptoms in one year.5
- Most people with bipolar disorder get a bout of mania for the first time when they are between 15 and 24 years old.4
- About half of people with bipolar disorder have someone in their family who has the disorder.1
Sources for the information on this page:
- Belmaker RH. Bipolar disorder. New England Journal of Medicine. 2004; 351: 476.
- Weissman MM, Bland RC, Canino GJ, et al. Cross-national epidemiology of major depression and bipolar disorder. Journal of the American Medical Association. 1996; 276: 293-299.
- Amsterdam JD, Brunswick DJ. Antidepressant monotherapy for bipolar type II major depression. Bipolar Disorder. 2003; 5:388-395.
- Müller-Oerlinghausen B, Berghöfer A, Bauer M. Bipolar disorder. Lancet. 2002; 359: 241-247. 11812578
- Mackin P, Young AH. Rapid cycling bipolar disorder: historical overview and focus on emerging treatments. Bipolar Disorders. 2004; 6: 523-529. 15541068
This information was last updated in Jul 25, 2008
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This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved. |
