bipolar disorder

noun

: any of several psychological disorders of mood characterized usually by alternating episodes of depression and mania

called also bipolar illness, manic depression

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

During Tobias' time as CEO, Lilly introduced dozens of new products, including Zyprexa, a drug that treats mental disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and Evista, a drug to treat osteoporosis that was also believed to prevent breast cancer. —The Indianapolis Star, 2 May 2023

The cluster, known as a brain organoid, then develops in ways similar to a human brain, which could help researchers understand more about schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, and other neuropsychiatric disorders. —Harold Maass, The Week, 28 Apr. 2023

Some serious mental illnesses are schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and major depression. —Donovan J. Thomas, ajc, 28 Apr. 2023

To qualify, candidates — most of whom are facing felony charges — must have a serious mental illness as defined by Title IX of the California Code of Regulations, like schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or bipolar disorder. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2023

Kim Kardashian, who filed to divorce Ye in February 2021, previously spoke out on the rapper’s battle with bipolar disorder. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 11 Oct. 2022

Back in February 2020, Gordon revealed in an article about mental health for The Players' Tribune that he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, an illness of the brain that causes extreme changes in mood and energy levels, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. —Amethyst Tate, Peoplemag, 11 Oct. 2022

She was also incorrectly diagnosed with bipolar disorder. —Azeen Ghorayshi, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2023

After seeing a therapist and psychiatrist, receiving a diagnosis for bipolar disorder, and nailing down a medication regimen that worked for her, Nolan was able to stop. —Emilia Benton, SELF, 15 Mar. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

bipolar disorder

noun

: a mental illness in which a person experiences periods of strong excitement and happiness followed by periods of sadness and depression

Medical Definition

bipolar disorder

noun

: any of several mood disorders characterized usually by alternating episodes of depression and mania

Note: The mania experienced in bipolar disorder may be of the euphoric or irritable type or both.

called also bipolar affective disorder, bipolar illness, manic depression, manic-depressive illness

compare major depressive disorder