Bipolar disorder : NICE guidelines summary

Bipolar disorder is a complex and often challenging mental health condition, characterized by significant mood alterations that range from extreme highs (mania or hypomania) to lows (depression). This condition can have a profound impact on a person's life, potentially leading to lifelong and disabling consequences. Episodes of mania are marked by abnormally elevated moods or irritability, severe functional impairment, and can include psychotic symptoms lasting a week or more. Hypomanic episodes, though similar in nature, are typically less severe and last for a minimum of four days. Bipolar disorder is also frequently associated with co-morbid conditions, such as anxiety disorders, substance misuse, personality disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The onset of bipolar disorder most commonly occurs between the ages of 15 and 19 years. However, there is often a significant delay in the diagnosis and treatment, as the initial contact with mental health services does not occur until much later. The lifetime prevalence of bipolar I disorder, which includes episodes of full mania and depression, is estimated at about 1% in the adult population, while bipolar II disorder, characterized by hypomania and depression, affects roughly 0.4% of adults. It is worth noting that bipolar disorder in children...