Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is fairly common, with 1 in 100 people diagnosed at some point in their lives globally. The statistic is slightly higher in the United States, with nearly 3 percent of the population experiencing the disorder annually. Nearly 83 percent of cases are considered severe. While incidence rates are currently unclear, bipolar disorder is typically diagnosed between 15 and 19 and rarely after 40.
Part of the challenge of diagnosing bipolar disorder is that it involves a psychological examination in which an individual is questioned regarding their symptoms, family history, and overall mental health status. Many of these answers are often subjective and may not initially point directly toward a bipolar disorder diagnosis.
