Statistics Sunday

General Overview:

1. Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million adult Americans, or about 2.6% of the U.S. population age 18 and older every year. 
2. An equal number of men and women develop bipolar illness and it is found in all ages, races, ethnic groups and social classes.
3. Although bipolar disorder is equally common in women and men, research indicates that approximately three times as many women as men experience rapid cycling. 
4. Some 20% of adolescents with major depression develop bipolar disorder within five years of the onset of depression.
5. 54% of people believe depression and depressive disorders are a personal weakness.
6. Bipolar disorder is a recurrent condition. More than 90% of individuals who have a single manic episode go on to have future episodes.
7. About 60-70% of manic or hypomanic episodes occur before or after a major depressive episode.
8. Participation in a DBSA patient-to-patient support group improved treatment compliance by almost 86% and reduced in-patient hospitalization.
9. Consumers who report high levels of satisfaction with their treatment and treatment provider have a much more positive outlook about their illness and their ability to cope with it.

From:
http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_statistics_bipolar
NIMH

With a little research, the basics of bipolar can be easily discovered.  But statistics don't tell you everything - they don't tell you what it's like to live with it and while they tell you that you're not alone, they don't tell you how to handle your diagnosis on your own. I think being informed is essential and helpful, but I think our own experiences and emotions shape what we do with that information.

Crazy can be fun.  It doesn't have to own you.