What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder, also referred to as bipolar affective disorder or manic depression, describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or more depressive episodes.

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What is it like to have Bipolar Disorder?

Common symptoms How bad it is What people are taking for it
Severity
Severe
Moderate
Mild
None
Clonazepam, Alprazolam, Lorazepam
Quetiapine, Trazodone, Zolpidem
Modafinil, Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine, Rest
Bupropion, Sertraline, Fluoxetine
Tramadol, Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen

What do patients take to treat Bipolar Disorder and its symptoms?

Treatments reported by members Perceived effectiveness Overall rating of side effects # of Evaluations
(Lamictal ODT, Lamogine, Lamictal XR, Lamictal Starter Kit (Orange))
228
(Eskalith CR, Camcolit, Lithosun, Carbolithium)
127
(Ratio-Quetiapine, Qusel, Ketipinor, Seroquel XR)
127
(Psychosexual therapy, Sex therapy, Narrative therapy, Integrative Counselling)
90
(Zedan, Abilify, Amirozole)
70
(Divalproex sodium ER, Depakote Sprinkles, Valtas OD, Divalproex DR)
57
(Zeldox, Geodon)
51
(Zetron, Elontril, Zyban, Budeprion SR)
32
(Teva Olanzapine, Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis, Novo-Olanzapine)
30
(Epilim chrono, Depakine, Epilim, Valpro)
17
(ViePax XL, Venlor XR, Zarelis, Pracet)
16
(Gladem, Altruline, Mylan-Sertraline, Sertral)
16
(Saphris)
16
(Apo-Risperidone, Risperdal Consta, Risperdal, Risperdal M-Tab)
16
(Teril, Carbamazepine XR, Karbamazepine, Tegretol CR)
14

These charts show data from Bipolar Disorder patients' latest treatment evaluations

Who has Bipolar Disorder at PatientsLikeMe?

<20 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s 70+
Current Age
Distribution of females vs. males
Gender
79% Females
21% Males
Age at first symptom
Age at first symptom # of patients Proportion
0-19 years 909
20-29 years 292
30-39 years 167
40-49 years 71
50-59 years 26
60-69 years 2
70+ years 1
Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status # of patients Proportion
Not Diagnosed 117
Diagnosed 1,666

These charts show data from Bipolar Disorder patients who have completed their condition history