Bipolar Disorder: Prognosis and Expected Lifespan
Nearly 10 million Americans suffer from bipolar disorder, which is characterized by periodic episodes of melancholy and mania. Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental disorder requiring lifelong rehabilitation and medication. If a person with bipolar disorder receives appropriate treatment, the prognosis is generally favorable. However, some individuals with bipolar disorder have a higher risk of premature mortality than healthy individuals of the same age. Positive prognosis is contingent on a number of variables, including the time of diagnosis, the presence of other health problems, and the severity of bipolar disorder symptoms.
Often, bipolar disorder is diagnosed in young individuals. Most individuals are diagnosed with bipolar disorder in their late teenage or early adult years. However, bipolar disorder is an incurable, lifelong mental illness, but the symptoms can be effectively managed with the aid of mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants. In addition to medications, psychotherapy and counseling are helpful in managing the symptoms of bipolar disorder. The researchers also explain that the prognosis of bipolar disorder may vary depending on the form of bipolar disorder a patient is experiencing.
Bipolar I is one of the most severe forms of bipolar disorder, characterized by hospitalization-required depressive and manic episodes. Nearly 70 to 80 percent of patients with bipolar disorder I are successfully treated. While 20 to 30 percent continue to experience symptoms such as mood swings and have greater difficulty keeping their employment and maintaining their relationships.
Bipolar II is less severe than bipolar I because there are no manic episodes. The effectiveness of treatment for this form of bipolar disorder is 85 percent. However, approximately 15% of patients with bipolar disorder continue to experience symptoms. Studies suggest that between 5 and 15 percent of bipolar II patients may experience rapid cycling between depression and manic. Any symptomatic complication results in a poor prognosis.
The prognosis of bipolar disorders is also affected by factors such as the presence of another mental health disorder. Any mental health condition, such as an eating disorder, an anxiety disorder, or a traumatic event, may worsen the prognosis of bipolar disorder. Patients with mental health issues in addition to bipolar disorder are more likely to relapse than those without co-occurring conditions. People with bipolar disorder have an increased risk of attempting suicide. Approximately 10 to 17% of bipolar disorder patients commit suicide annually, and many more make suicide attempts.
In order to prevent relapse, mental health specialists frequently recommend medication even when a person’s symptoms begin to subside. However, few individuals with bipolar disorder dislike taking medications, especially when they are feeling normal. Some patients with bipolar disorder opt for an alternative treatment that does not involve medication and consists of a noninvasive procedure to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a noninvasive technique for stimulating nerve cells without medication.
