bipolar disorder

noun

: any of several psychological disorders of mood characterized usually by alternating episodes of depression and mania

called also bipolar illness, manic depression

Examples of bipolar disorder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Though Dillingham was never diagnosed, E.A. (short for Elizabeth Anne) believes her mom suffered from bipolar disorder, leading to episodes of paranoia and delusion. —Eliza Thompson, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025

The doctor considered schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and paranoia diagnoses but ultimately rejected them, according to a report read aloud in court. —Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2025

Unveiled with campaign images fronted by activist model Rosie Viva and artist Joseph Awuah-Darko, who are both vocal about their bipolar disorder, the collection was created in tandem with British designer John Skelton, who was named cultural and creative director of EBIT last year. —Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 30 Mar. 2025

The psychiatric disorders most commonly linked to the environment of the placenta are schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. —Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bipolar disorder

• boarder
• border
• corder
• order
• warder
• camcorder
• recorder
• reorder
• suborder
• transborder

Kids Definition

bipolar disorder

noun

: any of several psychological disorders of mood characterized by alternating episodes of depression and mania

Medical Definition

bipolar disorder

noun

: any of several mood disorders characterized usually by alternating episodes of depression and mania

Note: The mania experienced in bipolar disorder may be of the euphoric or irritable type or both.

called also bipolar affective disorder, bipolar illness, manic depression, manic-depressive illness

compare major depressive disorder