What is bipolar I disorder?

Bipolar I disorder is a mood disorder that is characterized by at least one manic or mixed episode. There may be episodes of hypomania or major depression as well. It is considered a sub-diagnosis of bipolar disorder, and conforms to the classic concept of manic-depressive illness.

How do members experience bipolar I disorder?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with bipolar I disorder*

*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.

Top treatments taken by people for bipolar I disorder*

*Data from patients with bipolar I disorder, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Compare treatments taken by people with bipolar I disorder*

Treatment
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment

(Lithium Carbonate ER)
Perceived effectiveness
for bipolar I disorder (1 evaluation)
Side effects
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
bipolar I disorder (16)
Treatment

(Lamictal)
Perceived effectiveness
for bipolar I disorder (4 evaluations)
Side effects
Total evaluations
5
Tried for
bipolar I disorder (11)
Treatment

(Depakote)
Perceived effectiveness
for bipolar I disorder (1 evaluation)
Side effects
numbness and tingling in hands rashes (redness, swelling)
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
bipolar I disorder (5)
Treatment

(Talk therapy)
Perceived effectiveness
for bipolar I disorder (1 evaluation)
Side effects
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
bipolar I disorder (2)
Treatment

(Trileptal)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
bipolar I disorder (2)

*Data from patients with bipolar I disorder, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Who has bipolar I disorder on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 13
20s 290
30s 1,121
40s 1,846
50s 1,925
60s 1,214
70+ 322

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 1,311
Female 5,364