Bipolar disorder is a common and potentially debilitating psychiatric illness characterized by periods of mania and depression. Bipolar disorder typically manifests in the teens and early 20's and is often misdiagnosed as depression, in fact it can take up to 10 years to be accurately diagnosed as bipolar. Most cases of bipolar disorder can be treated with medication however non adherence is common and can lead to relapse and hospitalization. In recent years celebrities like Catherine Zeta Jones have spoken out about their bipolar disorder and helped to raise awareness of the disease.

Learn more about bipolar disorder in the following infographic by Global Medical Education

Fast Facts

• Almost 60% of Australian adults believe they were healthier when they were young than children are today - Tweet this
• Suicide occurs in 10-15% of patients with bipolar disorder - Tweet this
• Most patients with bipolar disorder are misdiagnosed; it can take up to 10 years to get a correct diagnosis - Tweet this
• Two out of three bipolar patients has a co-morbid psychiatric illness - Tweet this
• Postpartum depression is often undiagnosed bipolar disorder - Tweet this
• 10-15% of bipolar patients will have antidepressant induced mania - Tweet this