Bipolar Disorder Prognosis

While there is no cure for bipolar disorder the illness can be managed with proper care, leading to a good prognosis.

Early Detection

• Early detection is the strongest factor for a good prognosis. If bipolar disorder is suspected, see a mental health care provider for a diagnosis.

Treatment

• Bipolar disorder is a complex mental health issue that requires comprehensive care. Medication, results-oriented counseling (such as cognitive behavioral therapy) and lifestyle adjustments (especially regulating sleep patterns) contribute to successful treatment.

Refusing Treatment

• Without treatment, symptoms and episodes of bipolar disorder typically get worse. The prognosis for individuals who refuse treatment tends to be poor.

Misdiagnosis

• Since proper care for bipolar disorder is critical for a good prognosis, it's important to ensure a correct diagnosis. Bipolar disorder is sometimes misdiagnosed as major depression, schizophrenia, or ADHD (especially in children).

Comorbidity

• It is not unusual for other conditions such as alcoholism, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorder to be present along with bipolar disorder. Actively addressing any other mental health issues will improve the overall prognosis.

Warning

• While bipolar disorder is not a fatal illness in and of itself, strong suicidal thoughts and impulses can accompany episodes. Such symptoms should be taken seriously, as individuals with bipolar disorder do have a slightly higher suicide rate than the general population.