Prognosis for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar is a severe mental illness. It can be mild with only a few episodes. Or occur for more frequently with more debilitating symptoms. People with the illness experience symptoms in different ways. The usual for people with bipolar Disorder is 8 to 10 manic or depressive episodes over a lifetime. Some people experience more and some fewer episodes.

In most cases in bipolar disorder, the depressive episodes outnumber manic episodes, and the cycles of mania and depression are unpredictable. Many patients experience a mixed state, in which both mania and depression coexist.

A small percentage of bipolar patients have a complicated phase known as rapid cycling. With this type of the disorder the manic and depressive episodes alternate for at least four times a year and, in severe cases, can even progress to several cycles a day. Rapid cycling occurs more often in women and in those with bipolar II. Typically, rapid cycling starts in the depressive phase, and frequent and severe episodes of depression. This type of disorder is difficult to treat, especially because antidepressants can trigger the switch to mania and bring about an episode of mania. This is drug induced and can happen at any time even if the drug had been used before.

 Research shows that symptoms of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents differ from those of adults. Adults with bipolar disorder usually have distinct and persistent periods of mania and depression. Children with bipolar disorder fluctuate rapidly in their mood and behavior. Mania in children is seen as irritability and belligerence whereas adults tend to experience euphoria. Children with bipolar depression are frequently angry and restless, and may have additional mood and behavioral disorders such as anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, and substance abuse problems.

How frequently childhood bipolar disorder lasts or if treating childhood bipolar disorder can help prevent future illness is unknown.