Bipolar disorders
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis
- Bipolar type 1 – Patients experience manic episodes and, in most cases, also experience major depressive and hypomanic episodes.
- Bipolar type 2 – Patients experience at least 1 hypomanic episode and at least 1 major depressive episode but do not have manic episodes.
The estimated prevalence of bipolar type 1 and bipolar type 2 disorders in the United States is 1.8%. The bipolar disorders have the highest genetic link of all major mental illnesses, with an up to tenfold increase in risk among individuals with relatives who have bipolar disorders. Symptoms usually begin in early adulthood, and bipolar disorder is less commonly diagnosed during childhood or adolescence. There is no difference between the sexes in prevalence of the disease. However, women are more likely to experience more depressive symptoms than men.
Coexisting psychiatric conditions are often present and are associated with a worse prognosis. Common comorbidities include anxiety, substance use disorder, eating disorders, borderline and other personality disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Other chronic medical conditions more prevalent in this patient population are metabolic syndrome, migraine, obesity, and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
There is an increased risk of substance use disorders and suicidal ideation or suicide attempt in individuals with bipolar disorder. Patients with coexisting psychiatric conditions, especially anxiety disorder, are at higher risk for suicide attempt or death by suicide. Other factors that increase suicide risk include older age, predominant depression, a first-degree relative with a mood disorder or who committed suicide, sexual dysfunction, and bipolar episodes that are more frequent or severe. Women are more likely to attempt suicide; men are more likely to die by suicide.
Patients with this disorder may have an increased risk of various general medical conditions.
Codes
ICD10CM:F31.9 – Bipolar disorder, unspecified
SNOMEDCT:
13746004 – Bipolar Disorder
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Cyclothymic disorder
- Major depressive disorder
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Schizophreniform disorder
- Schizophrenia spectrum disorder
- Delusional disorder
- Panic disorder or other anxiety disorders
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Borderline personality disorder
- Substance use disorder or acute intoxication
- Medication-induced mood disorder
- Personality changes secondary to a medical condition – brain tumor, dementia, delirium, encephalopathy, neurosyphilis, severe anemia, congestive heart failure
- Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism
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Last Reviewed:11/03/2019
Last Updated:09/17/2020
Last Updated:09/17/2020