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

As the Washington Post’s style writers also noted, West isn’t known to be a mentally well human being, having been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and known for his public meltdowns and his antisemitic rants. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025

The company also expects to start phase three trials in Alzheimer’s agitation, Alzheimer’s cognition and bipolar disorder in 2025, while studies in autism will begin in 2026. —Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2025

Slattery said he was eventually diagnosed with a bipolar disorder, which likely contributed to his troubles with addiction and subsequent financial problems. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2025

His reported diagnoses included bipolar disorder, among others. —Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 19 Dec. 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