As shown on the slide, bipolar disorder is a cyclic disorder, where people cycle between periods of (hypo)mania, depression, and euthymia.1-5 The duration of these periods can vary; a study following 1,130 people with bipolar disorder found that on average depressive episodes lasted for 5.2 months, whereas on average manic episodes were shorter at 3.5 months.5
References:
1. Vieta E, Berk M, Schulze TG, et al. Bipolar disorders. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2018; 4: 18008.
2. Elanjithara TE, Frangou S, McGuire P. Treatment of the early stages of bipolar disorder. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment 2011; 17 (4): 283–291.
3. American Psychiatric Association (APA). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth edition, text revision. Washington DC: APA; 2022.
4. Manning JS. Tools to improve differential diagnosis of bipolar disorder in primary care. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry 2010; 12 (Suppl 1): 17–22.
5. Tondo L, Vázquez GH, Baldessarini RJ. Depression and mania in bipolar disorder. Curr Neuropharmacol 2017; 15 (3): 353–358.