bipolar disorder

American  

noun

Psychiatry.

• bipolar disorders
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• bipolar disorders
  plural

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bipolar disorder

In January, he took out a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal attributing his past behaviour to his bipolar disorder.

From Barron's ● Aug. 28, 2026

She added that while women with a history of bipolar disorder are more susceptible to postpartum psychosis, it can happen to anyone.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

She urged women who’ve dealt with issues like anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder to make preconception and pregnancy appointments with care providers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

He apologised in January, blaming his statements on a brain injury and bipolar disorder.

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026

We can’t go back in time and diagnose him, but from here it looks like a form of epilepsy or, most likely, the beginnings of bipolar disorder, which is also known as manic depression.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman