Prognosis of Bipolar disorder

Prognosis for Bipolar disorder: Like diabetes or heart disease, bipolar disorder is a long-term illness that must be carefully managed throughout a person's life. (Source: excerpt from Bipolar Disorder: NIMH)

Complications: see complications of Bipolar disorder

Prognosis of Bipolar disorder discussion:

Bipolar Disorder: NIMH (Excerpt)

Episodes of mania and depression typically recur across the life span. Between episodes, most people with bipolar disorder are free of symptoms, but as many as one-third of people have some residual symptoms. A small percentage of people experience chronic unremitting symptoms despite treatment.⁴ (Source: excerpt from Bipolar Disorder: NIMH)

Bipolar Disorder: NIMH (Excerpt)

Without treatment, however, the natural course of bipolar disorder tends to worsen. Over time a person may suffer more frequent (more rapid-cycling) and more severe manic and depressive episodes than those experienced when the illness first appeared.⁵  But in most cases, proper treatment can help reduce the frequency and severity of episodes and can help people with bipolar disorder maintain good quality of life. (Source: excerpt from Bipolar Disorder: NIMH)

Bipolar Disorder: NIMH (Excerpt)

Even though episodes of mania and depression naturally come and go, it is important to understand that bipolar disorder is a long-term illness that currently has no cure. Staying on treatment, even during well times, can help keep the disease under control and reduce the chance of having recurrent, worsening episodes. (Source: excerpt from Bipolar Disorder: NIMH)

Medications: NIMH (Excerpt)

Some people respond well to maintenance treatment and have no further episodes. Others may have moderate mood swings that lessen as treatment continues, or have less frequent or less severe episodes. Unfortunately, some people with bipolar disorder may not be helped at all by lithium. Response to treatment with lithium varies, and it cannot be determined beforehand who will or will not respond to treatment. (Source: excerpt from Medications: NIMH)

Recurrence of Bipolar disorder discussion: A person may have one episode of bipolar disorder and never have another, or be free of illness for several years. But for those who have more than one manic episode, doctors usually give serious consideration to maintenance (continuing) treatment with lithium. (Source: excerpt from Medications: NIMH)

Research More About Bipolar disorder

• Introduction: Bipolar disorder
• Symptoms: Bipolar disorder
• Complications: Bipolar disorder
• Treatments: Bipolar disorder

About prognosis:

The 'prognosis' of Bipolar disorder usually refers to the likely outcome of Bipolar disorder. The prognosis of Bipolar disorder may include the duration of Bipolar disorder, chances of complications of Bipolar disorder, probable outcomes, prospects for recovery, recovery period for Bipolar disorder, survival rates, death rates, and other outcome possibilities in the overall prognosis of Bipolar disorder. Naturally, such forecast issues are by their nature unpredictable.