bipolar disorder

American  

noun

Psychiatry.

1. an affective disorder characterized by periods of mania alternating with periods of depression, usually interspersed with relatively long intervals of normal mood.

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bipolar disorder British  

noun

1. a mental health problem characterized by an alternation between extreme euphoria and deep depression

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bipolar disorder Scientific  

1. Any of several mood disorders usually characterized by periods of depression that alternate with mania.

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bipolar disorder Cultural  

1. Also known as manic-depressive illness. This psychiatric disorder is marked by periods of euphoric (manic) highs often followed by periods of depression.

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Example Sentences

She was recovering from a breakdown and had been recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

He also has bipolar disorder and, at least once a year, loses all his clients and has to go to treatment for a few weeks.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 14, 2026

In the ad, Ye said his wife pushed him to get the help he needed and that he found comfort in Reddit forums on living with bipolar disorder.

From Salon • Jan. 26, 2026

The singer, who got her start on America’s Got Talent in 2011 with her cover group PopLyfe, was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 15, 2025

The thing I know about bipolar disorder is that it’s a label.

From "All The Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven