Overview
- The World Bipolar Day campaign, observed Monday, urges earlier recognition of a condition marked by episodes of mania or hypomania and depression that disrupt daily life.
- Fresh counts cite more than 37 million cases worldwide, with about three million in Mexico and an estimated 1% to 2% of Peru’s population affected.
- Experts say more than half of Mexicans with the disorder may be undiagnosed, and many people wait five to seven years for a correct diagnosis, sometimes up to a decade.
- Combined care using mood stabilizing medicine, therapy, psychoeducation and steady sleep routines helps patients stay functional and avoid hospital stays.
- Stigma that trivializes symptoms keeps people from seeking help early, even though suicide risk rises in depressive or mixed episodes and families and primary care can spot warning signs.