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

Researchers have used everyday Fitbit data to train a machine learning algorithm to accurately predict mood episodes associated with bipolar disorder. —New Atlas, 30 Nov. 2024

No one gene, however, determines one’s risk of developing schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024

Behind its glassy doors is something rare: A community run by people with serious mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. —Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024

Evans committed suicide at age 45 amid his battle with bipolar disorder. —Gillian Telling, People.com, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

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