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
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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 See all Example Sentences for bipolar disorder 

Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bipolar disorder was in 1972

Dictionary Entries Near bipolar disorder

Cite this Entry

“Bipolar disorder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bipolar%20disorder. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on bipolar disorder

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