I disagree with that premise: I'm told that many people's bipolar gets better as they get older (if- they stay on meds & have a healthy lifestyle).

My mother's bipolar 1 is way way way better: she's been medicated for about 20 years & is a different person with a fairly high functioning life.

Her sister goes on and off medication & does illicit drugs- her bipolar gets worse and worse and worse..

same story for my grandmother...didn't take care of herself & had a miserable end.

this is just anecdotal but have been told by pdocs that the cycles can get easier. Which gives me hope x

also: google it- have read lots of data that fits with theory bipolar can ease up if people make it to an older age.

So, don't believe all the negativity & pessimism.

Well I just found this out lately when my psychiatrist clued me in. The crux of the matter being that in the past two years (I'm 48 now) I seem to have been blitzed by an uncanny number of manic episodes. And this latest one which just ended some weeks about was particularly severe and long-lasting.
I'm still in a state of shock and bafflement as to WHY. Usually in the past, it had to be a series of radical, VERY serious life-events which set me off. This time around, the response just did not merit the events in question. And that's why he threw out that idea at me.
Apparently it's to do with a theory called "kindling"....which got it's name comparing this thing to a smoldering fire. Once certain brain chemicals - dopamine firing, serotonin, and the receptors themselves get fired up radically, the "fire" never really gets put out, & will re-activate much easier, the more episodes are encountered by the individual. And then I'd definitely say that for WOMEN my age, hormonal business, when estrogen and progesterone levels keep fluctuating, probably are apt to contribute to this business too. ALSO read that dementia has a higher probability of laying claim to bipolar folks than to the normal population.
I don't know if any of this is true or false. Googled the Kindling theory, & it seems to be the current accepted train of thought on the issue. But I am still saying that there IS no classic textbook definition of Bipolar Disorder - no such thing as one size fits all - so why panic and get pessimistic in advance, concerning something which might never happen? Some people have extremely mild forms of this, some have moderate forms, and some have extremely severe forms of the illness....then ALL the sub-categories thrown into the mix. So how can it all be neatly categorized concerning aging?
But just that this year, my doctor's idea DID seem to resonate with me, based on a bad year generally; but STILL I will just go with the flow, and play it by ear.

hi, yes, I'm aware of the kindling theory myself (& believe it, pretty much)

My understanding of the kindling theory is that the more manic/psychotic off the charts episodes an individual has the poorer their overall functioning recovers each time & their prognosis is far worse- as these episodes greatly debilitate the brain..brain damage is incurred.

That is why I said people who keep going off medication (with BP1) are more likely to fare worse (as they are more likely to have far more frequent severe manias)

as for menopause; my mom has never gone off her meds, still has highs (but not so severe) & menopause made no discernible difference to her wellbeing.

& not just brain damage is incurred- with kindling the likelihood of further catastrophic episodes is escalated with each subsequent mania.

I don't feel that I am getting worse as I age, I agree with you arfie! I feel my coping techniques grow stronger all the time too. Now my hormonal fluctuations around my period put me through hell, can't say that is getting any better at all....is just horrible but it is what it is and I have to do what I can to muster through it.

I think, from what I have read, that they say bipolar disorder gets worse with age if we are continually "non-compliant". in that, treating the bp gets harder to do, the meds don't work as well, I've read so many different things not sure exactly how I feel about it. Just in my personal experience I do not feel I am getting worse with age.....tg!!

I have not been able to get myself on the "med compliance" bandwagon, but I have worked the therapy channels since I was nearly 18 in 1972. My use of pharmaceutical aids is very old school.

The bipolar and PTSD issues are still there, but I have grown a series of pseudo-conditioned responses to keep them from getting too far out of control. Not perfect, but I have not been hospitalized since 1999. Knock wood and keep the fingers crossed.

Some days I find myself wanting to declare official peace with it all. It is just life and life gets messy.

This topic always scares the crap out of me..

When I was young I would have these long lasting high times where I would look awesome.. party.. take care of myself.. the world looked like a beautiful place full of color... I haven't experienced any of that in forever.. my up now is dark and full of agitation.. I hate it. I'm not able to take meds at the moment.. no insurance.

I used to not need any meds in my younger days.. didn't abuse street drugs too much.. I was a drug.

I miss that place and this place rots. I can't get motivated enough to do anything good for more than a week or two. I'm lost. I'm scared I'm going to never see that happy place again..

I guess you either get a lot better or a lot worse.

I'm not in the best place right now so it could effect my perspective.. I definitely think that it's much more under control with compliance.. educating myself.. finding support etc..
At the same time the things we have to deal with in life has taken a toll and that has triggered more depression then anything else.. as life goes on more things come up
The older we get the more loved ones we lose.. that has been the biggest hurdle for me... Trying to get past grief..x

Bipolar 2 stepchild here.

I have heard the theories regarding the doomed aging bipolar and don't agree. I think medication compliance, therapy and support make a huge difference.

For me, hormonal, physical illness (lupus, cancer,asthma and fibro) as well as unresolved borderline traits reached a convergence in my mid to late 40s, plunging me into hypomanic crisis.

But I have learned & am still learning coping strategies. I am hoping the perfect med combo is around the corner. I am staying on meds.

I have heard theories about bipolar kindling. This I am more on board with. I seem to remember that stress and physical factors can trigger worsening episodes.

Oh my!! I do not like this notion of bipolar getting progressively worse as we age ever so gracefully. I'm having none of that!!

Actually, thanks for bringing it up. I think the thought that it could get worse will motivate me to adhere to all 5 phases of treatment.

I've gotten better with age. Of course, I'm on a good cocktail of meds, I got to therapy regularly and have for yrs and I left my abusive husband.

Whether bipolar gets worse with age depends on the care you get.
If you get good care at a young age then no - bipolar doesn't get worse
But if you go without care then yes, bipolar gets worse.
I went without care for 48 years, my bipolar is severe and will not get better now, all I can do is try and manage it

I think i'm getting better with age, But if I were to have a psychotic episode it would set me way back. I do get my depressions of course but I can cope better. I guess everyone is different.