More than 5 million Americans are affected by bipolar disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Because patients with bipolar disorder may have similar symptoms to patients with other disorders, they can be hard to accurately diagnose. An estimated 51 percent of adult patients with bipolar disorder go without treatment in a given year. Read on to learn the differences between bipolar disorder and mood swings, and what to do if a family member or friend needs support.
