- Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million adult Americans, or about 2.6% of the U.S. population age 18 and older every year.
- The average age for the development of bipolar disorder is 25 years, although it is not uncommon for people to show signs as children and through their 40's-50's.
- An equal number of men and women develop bipolar illness and it is found in all ages, races, ethnic groups and social classes.
- Women with bipolar disorder may have more mixed and depressive episodes than men.
- More than two-thirds of people with bipolar disorder have at least one close relative with the illness or with unipolar major depression, indicating that the disease has a inheritable component.
- 20% of those consulting their doctor about depression actually have bipolar disorder.
- Only 1 in 4 people with bipolar disorder recieve an accurate diagnosis within 3 years.