Prevalence of Bipolar Disorder

The disorder affects men and women equally, and at any age from childhood (around age of ten) or early adolescence to old age. In women it may be triggered by childbirth. It occurs in all cultures and the lifetime risk is thought to be in the order of 0.6 – 1.1%.

Risk of suicide

15% (10-19%) of people with Bipolar disorders commit suicide. Up to 50% of people with these conditions are estimated to attempt suicide at some point in their illness. Most suicides (79%) occur during the depressive phase.