Gender Differences in Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a behavioral disorder distinguished by extreme mood swings between the two "poles" of depression and mania. Bipolar disorder adversely effects daily functioning in both men and women. There are similarities and differences in the way men and women experience the condition.

Equal Opportunity

• The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychological Association reports that bipolar disorder is found approximately equally in both sexes, unlike depression, which affects more women than men.

Men and Bipolar Disorder

• Although the disorder affects men and women almost equally, men are more likely to present with a manic mood in their first episode. Men tend to experience an equal number of episodes of mania and depression.

Women and Bipolar Disorder

• In contrast to their male counterparts, women with bipolar disorder are more likely to experience depression before a manic episode, and are statistically more likely to experience a greater number of depressive than manic episodes.

Different Hormones, Different Symptoms

• Hormonal shifts play a major role in the course of bipolar disorder as many woman with this disorder experience aggravated symptoms after childbirth and during the premenstrual period.

Onset and Treatment of Illness

• According to a report published by the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, the onset of bipolar disorder tends to occur later in woman than in men. In addition, women are more likely to suffer from one or more medical or psychiatric disorders superimposed on bipolar disorder. However, both men and women should be assessed for coexisting disorders.