Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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Has your bipolar gotten worse with age?

Maui1992
Maui1992

Has your bipolar gotten worse with age? Mine has! I am 53 – Increased frequency of bipolar depression, less hypomania, and increased severity of symptoms. Oh joy!


Does bipolar get worse with age?


Changes in the frequency and severity of episodes are among the most evident changes in bipolar disorder at an older age. Research suggests that older adults with bipolar disorder often experience: more frequent episodes. more depressive episodes and less time spent in manic or hypomanic states.Mar 16, 2022



For many patients, the illness presents a progressively deteriorating course. Late stages are characterized by chronic cognitive and functional impairment, often with subsyndromal mood symptoms and are associated with refractoriness to standard treatment options.

bywena
bywena
actually it has eased the depression and the are faster as ifn i thought possible

i am hypomanic most of the time better for me but i am psychotic also with psychotic most of the time a trade off
MochaShell
MochaShell
I wouldn't mind less hypomania. My symptoms have gotten worse over the last few years but I think that's due to stressful life changes.
Community LeaderSunCloudJD
SunCloudJD
I have been in sort of a higher depression for a very long time.... I don't really leave it much...

I am med sensitive so I just sort of accept this state as my life now and yes it's happened as life has taken too many hits.... I've put a lot of it down to situational and one thing on top of another.... A lot of loss that I think happens as we get older as well
nowstillhere
nowstillhere
that explains alot. I am currently 68 and beginning to feel what was discussed.
Sunshinegirl0228
Sunshinegirl0228
I was diagnosed at 23 and am now 31. For me it’s getting better with age. Therapy and the right meds help
Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
Interesting, what I had read was that it was the mania that increased with age and the depression decreased. Bummer.
OlderCPer
OlderCPer
There are studies that support both, and it depends on what type of BiPolar you have, which side, i.e. depression or mania is worse, and how stable you are on medication and how adept you are at using coping skills to control your symptoms.

Mine is definitely much better and far more controlled on both sides as I'm older, and I'm 53.
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