Many people with bipolar disorder suffer for years before they get an accurate diagnosis. There are a number of reasons for this, and one might be because people don’t always understand what the disorder looks like. If you believe that bipolar disorder looks a certain way, and your signs don’t match that description, you’re less likely to make the connection and see a doctor.
If you’re having any mental health concerns that are disrupting your life, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.
Marc Lener, MD, is a psychiatrist and founder of the Singula Institute in New York City.
References
Jain, A., et al. (2023). Bipolar disorder. StatPearls.
MedlinePlus. (2021). Bipolar disorder.
National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Bipolar disorder.
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Written by:
Lauren Smith, MALauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.
Reviewed by:
Sarah Gupta, MDSarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
