Skip to main content
Logo for WebMD
Logo for WebMD
  • Check Your Symptoms
  • Find A Doctor
  • Find A Dentist
  • Connect to Care
  • Find Lowest Drug Prices
  • Health
    A-Z
    Health A-Z
    Common Conditions
    • ADD/ADHD
    • Allergies
    • Arthritis
    • Cancer
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Eye Health
    • Heart Disease
    • Lung Disease
    • Orthopedics
    • Pain Management
    • Sexual Conditions
    • Skin Problems
    • Sleep Disorders
    • View All
    Resources
    • Symptom Checker
    • WebMD Blogs
    • Podcasts
    • Newsletters
    • Questions & Answers
    • Insurance Guide
    • Find a Doctor
    • Children's Conditions A-Z
    • Surgeries and Procedures A-Z
      Featured Topics
    • woman experiencing chest discomfort Symptom Checker COVID-19: Check Your Symptoms Now
    • photo of migraine Slideshow Get Help for Migraine Relief
  • Drugs &
    Supplements
    Drugs & Supplements
    Find & Review
    • Drugs
    • Supplements
    Drug Basics & Safety
    • Commonly Abused Drugs
    • Taking Meds When Pregnant
    Tools
    • Manage Your Medications
    • Pill Identifier
    • Check for Interactions
    • Drug Comparison Tool
      Featured Topics
    • assorted vitamins Slideshow Vitamins You Need as You Age
    • berry and yogurt on spoon Slideshow Supplements for Better Digestion
  • Living
    Healthy
    Living Healthy
    Diet, Food & Fitness
    • Diet & Weight Management
    • Weight Loss & Obesity
    • Food & Recipes
    • Fitness & Exercise
    Beauty & Balance
    • Healthy Beauty
    • Health & Balance
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Oral Care
    Living Well
    • Women's Health
    • Men's Health
    • Aging Well
    • Healthy Sleep
    • Healthy Teens
      Featured Topics
    • grocery cart Article Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes
    • walking sneakers Quiz Do You Know the Benefits of Walking?
  • Family &
    Pregnancy
    Family & Pregnancy
    All About Pregnancy
    • Getting Pregnant
    • First Trimester
    • Second Trimester
    • Third Trimester
    • View All
    Parenting Guide
    • Newborn & Baby
    • Children's Health
    • Children's Vaccines
    • Raising Fit Kids
    • View All
    Pet Care Essentials
    • Healthy Cats
    • Healthy Dogs
    • View All
      Featured Topics
    • apple slices and peanut butter Slideshow Smart Snacks When You're Pregnant
    • photo of dogs kissing Slideshow Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats
  • News &
    Experts
    News & Experts
    Health News
    • Coronavirus News & Updates
    • COVID-19 Vaccines -- Latest Updates Here
    • COVID-19: Check Your Symptoms Now
    • Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts
    • Social Distancing, Quarantine Explained
    Experts & Community
    • WebMD Blogs
    • News Center
      Featured Topics
    • photo of coronavirus cell WebMD News Get the Latest COVID-19 News Here
    • photo of person typing Newsletters Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter
  • Sign In
    Share on Facebook
    Share on Twitter
    Share on Pinterest

      Bipolar Disorder Home

      • News & Features
      • Reference
      • Slideshows
      • Videos
      • Questions & Answers
      • Medications
      • Find a Psychiatrist

      Bipolar Disorder Guide

      • Overview
      • Symptoms & Types
      • Treatment & Prevention
      • Living & Support

      Related to Bipolar Disorder

      • ADHD
      • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
      • Crisis Assistance
      • Depression
      • Mental Health
      • Pill Identifier
      • Schizophrenia
      • Substance Abuse and Addiction
      • More Related Topics
      • Bipolar Disorder
      • Guide

      Overview

      What is bipolar disorder? What causes it? And what's the best line of treatment? Despite huge advances, much remains to be learned about this condition that affects millions of Americans

        1. What Is Bipolar Disorder?

          Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a serious mental illness that can lead to risky behavior, damaged relationships and careers, and even suicidal tendencies if it's not treated.

        2. What Causes Bipolar Disorder?

          Doctors don't completely understand the causes of bipolar disorder. But they've gained a greater understanding in recent years of the bipolar spectrum, which includes the  highs of mania to the lows of  depression, along with various mood states in between.

        3. How is Bipolar Disorder Diagnosed?

          A bipolar disorder diagnosis is made only by taking careful note of symptoms, including their severity, length, and frequency.

        4. Who's at Risk for Bipolar Disorder?

          More than 10 million Americans have bipolar disorder. It affects men and women equally, as well as all races, ethnic groups, and socioeconomic classes.

        5. Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens

          Although bipolar disorder more commonly develops in older teenagers and young adults, it can appear in children as young as 6.

        6. Bipolar Disorder in Women

          Bipolar disorder occurs with similar frequency in men and women. But there are some differences in the way they experience the condition.

        7. Can Bipolar Disorder Be Prevented?

          While bipolar disorder cannot be prevented, early recognition of warning signs and seeing your doctor regularly can allow you to monitor your mood and medications and keep the illness from escalating.

      Top Picks

      • When a Loved One Has Bipolar Disorder
      • Is Bipolar Disorder or ADHD?
      • Mood Disorders: How to Recognize and Treat Them
      • Warning Signs of Bipolar Disorder
      • How Is Bipolar Disorder Diagnosed?
      • Bipolar Disorder: An Overview

      Today on WebMD

      lunar eclipse

      Mood Swings? It Could Be Bipolar Disorder

      Signs of mania and depression.

      Jimi Hendrix

      Celebrities With Bipolar Disorder

      Famous people who have this condition.

      serious looking young woman

      Dealing With the Ups and Downs of Bipolar?

      Assess your symptoms.

      teen girl in bad mood

      5 Types of Bipolar Disorder

      How is each one different?

      Recommended for You

      Feeling Ups and Downs ASSESSMENT

      Could You Have Bipolar Disorder?

      Bipolar or Schizo Article

      What Triggers Bipolar Mood Swings?

      Foods to Avoid Article

      Bipolar Disorder: Foods to Avoid

      Man being scolded by his shadow Article

      Who's At Risk for Bipolar Disorder?

      lunar eclipse Slideshow

      Understanding Bipolar Disorder

      depressed man Article

      Bipolar Symptoms: Do You Know Them?

      young women not speaking Article

      Women and Bipolar Disorder

      man talking with therapist Article

      How to Treat Bipolar Disorder

      Tools & Resources

      • Bipolar Disorder Assessment
      • Pregnancy and Bipolar Disorder
      • What's Causing My Mood Swings?
      • Can ECT Treat Bipolar Disorder?
      • 5 Types of Bipolar Disorder
      • Signs of a Bipolar Manic Episode

      Health Solutions

      • Penis Curved When Erect
      • Could I have CAD?
      • Treat Bent Fingers
      • Tools to Improve Health
      • The Health Data in Spit
      • Relapsing MS Options
      • Rethink MS Treatment
      • AFib-Related Strokes
      • Risk of a Future DVT/PE
      • Is My Penis Normal?
      • Weight-Loss Surgery
      • Liver Transplants Save Lives
      • HIV and Fat
      • Discover hATTR Symptoms
      • Trouble Urinating?
      • Missing Teeth?

      More from WebMD

      • Finding the Care You Need for MS
      • How to Thrive With Narcolepsy
      • Eat Better in the New Year
      • Psoriatic Arthritis and Your Sleep
      • What Psoriasis Feels Like
      • First Psoriatic Arthritis Flare
      • Talking to Your Doctor About RA
      • Start a Home Fitness Program
      • Avoiding Crohn’s Flares
      • Living With Ankylosing Spondylitis
      • COVID-19 & Minority Health Care
      • Types of B-Cell Therapy for MS
      • Living Better With T2 Diabetes
      • Why Prostate Cancer Spreads
      • When Ulcerative Colitis Flares
      • Where Breast Cancer Spreads
      • Logo for WebMD
        • Find us on:
        • Facebook
        • Twitter
        • Pinterest
      • Policies

        • Privacy Policy
        • Cookie Policy
        • Editorial Policy
        • Advertising Policy
        • Correction Policy
        • Terms of Use

        About

        • Contact Us
        • About WebMD
        • Careers
        • Newsletter
        • Corporate
        • WebMD Health Services
        • Site Map
        • Accessibility
      • WebMD Network

        • Medscape
        • Medscape Reference
        • MedicineNet
        • eMedicineHealth
        • RxList
        • OnHealth
        • WebMDRx
        • First Aid
        • WebMD Magazine
        • WebMD Health Record
        • Dictionary
        • Physician Directory
      • Our Apps

        • WebMD Mobile
        • WebMD App
        • Pregnancy
        • Baby
        • Allergy
        • Medscape

        For Advertisers

        • Advertise with Us
        • Advertising Policy
      • TRUSTe
      • TAG Registered Seal
      • Honcode Seal
      • Adchoices

      © 2005 - 2021 WebMD LLC. All rights reserved.

      WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

      See additional information.