Topic Page: Bipolar Disorder

NIMH Pages About Bipolar Disorder

Overview of Bipolar Disorder…


Find current clinical trials on Bipolar Disorder…


Publications About Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents
Cover image for the Bipolar Children Adolescents publication.This booklet is a guide for parents who think their child may have symptoms of bipolar disorder, or parents whose child has been diagnosed.
Bipolar Disorder in Adults
Cover image for Bipolar Disorder in Adults publication.This booklet discusses bipolar disorder in adults. For information on bipolar disorder in children and adolescents, see the NIMH booklet, Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents.
Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents (Fact Sheet)
Photo of an adolescent male.A fact sheet that describes the development in our understanding of how bipolar disorder affects children and adolescents and the direction of future research.
Bipolar Disorder
BipolarA detailed booklet that describes bipolar disorder symptoms, causes, and treatments, with information on getting help and coping.
Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens (Easy to Read)
Bipolar Disorder in Children and TeensAn easy-to-read booklet on Bipolar Disorder in children and teens that explains what it is, when it starts and how to get help. En Español

Science News About Bipolar Disorder

Ketamine Cousin Rapidly Lifts Depression Without Side Effects
Science Update •
GLX-13 Thumbnail

NMDA or glutamate receptor modulators as antidepressants have come of age. Human clinical studies demonstrated that ketamine can ward off depressive symptoms within 2 hours of administration and last for several days. Yet serious side effects are attached to this drug, including excessive sleepiness, hallucinations, and substance abuse behavior.

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Flu in Pregnancy May Quadruple Child’s Risk for Bipolar Disorder
Press Release •
H1N1 influenza virus particles

Pregnant mothers’ exposure to the flu has been linked to a nearly 4-fold increased risk for bipolar disorder in their adult child.

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NIH Study Shows People with Serious Mental Illnesses Can Lose Weight
Press Release •
project achieve thumbnail

Losing weight is challenging for everyone. It can be particularly difficult for someone with a serious mental illness. An NIMH-funded clinical study proves that a modified diet and exercise program can work for people with serious mental illnesses. Participants lost 7 pounds more than controls—and continued to lose weight.

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Five Major Mental Disorders Share Genetic Roots
Science Update •
Dr. Bruce Cuthbert, Ph.D.

Five major mental disorders share some of the same genetic risk factors, the largest genome-wide study of its kind has found.

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Rate of Bipolar Symptoms Among Teens Approaches That of Adults
Science Update •
teen girl talking to therapist

National survey data finds that the rate of bipolar symptoms in teens is similar to that found in adults, indicating that bipolar disorder often begins in adolescence.

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Posts About Bipolar Disorder

NIMH’s Top 10 Research Advances of 2011

By Thomas Insel on December 23, 2011

Dr. Insel shares NIMH’s Top 10 Research Advances for 2011.

Psychiatric Genetics: More Pieces of the Puzzle

By Thomas Insel on October 04, 2011

Results of the two largest studies of their kind, to date, have identified new common gene variants associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The results implicate specific pathways and hold promise for development of new treatments.

Skin cells to neurons: Disease-in-a-dish promises shortcut to discovery

By Thomas Insel on May 13, 2011

An emerging research technology using Induced pluripotent stem cells holds promise as a window into the developing brain in mental illness.

Diagnosis: Pediatric Bipolar Disorder?

By Thomas Insel on April 08, 2010

NIMH is working to better define the boundaries of pediatric bipolar disorder, discover its causes and develop more effective treatments for such mood related syndromes affecting youth. Cross-cutting comparisons of mania-related and other forms of irritability and functional brain imaging studies will help to disentangle these syndromes so that clinicians can provide children with the best care. Our goal is nothing less than pre-emtive interventions and cures.


Meeting Summaries About Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents: New Data to Inform Classification
February 26, 2009 – February 27, 2009
Washington, DC

NIMH convened a working group of 24 invited experts to present and discuss data to resolve methodological discrepancies in the approaches used to diagnose bipolar disorder in children and adolescents.

Director’s Updates About Bipolar Disorder

NIMH Perspective on Diagnosing and Treating Bipolar Disorder in Children

September 03, 2007

A recently published research paper (September 2007, Archives of General Psychiatry) reported a 40-fold increase in the rate of diagnosing bipolar disorder in youth over the past decade.