When someone with bipolar disorder (BPD) gets the help they need, they can regain control of their thoughts and behaviors and live a much healthier and more satisfying life. But in the absence of proper care, people with untreated bipolar disorder have an increased risk of many short- and long-term problems.
What Exactly Happens if You Leave Bipolar Disorder Untreated?
It is difficult to overstate the devastation that can result from untreated bipolar disorder. This condition can affect virtually every part of a person’s life, including their physical health, relationships, financial stability, and life expectancy.
Short Term
Often, people don’t seek treatment for bipolar disorder (or even realize they may have the condition) until their symptoms have had some type of negative impact on their life. Common short-term problems that have been linked with untreated bipolar disorder include:
- Substandard performance in school or at work: Manic, hypomanic, and depressive symptoms can all make it difficult for a person to concentrate and see tasks through to completion. These challenges, in turn, can undermine an individual’s ability to make sustained academic and/or occupational progress.
- Legal problems due to impulsive or otherwise risky behaviors: The impulsivity that is characteristic of manic and hypomanic episodes can lead to myriad problematic (and possible illegal) behaviors, including reckless driving, aggression, and violence.
- Strained or ruined relationships: Common bipolar disorder symptoms such as inconsistency and unpredictability can prevent people from forming and maintaining healthy relationships with family members, peers, and potential romantic partners.
- Substance abuse and addiction: Research indicates that 47.3% of people with any type of bipolar disorder also have a substance use disorder (addiction). Among those with bipolar I disorder, this rate rises to 60.3%. To put these statistics into context, substance use disorders affect about 17.3% of the general population in the U.S.
- Onset or worsening of co-occurring mental health disorders: Studies have found links between untreated bipolar disorder and increased rates of several other mental illnesses, such as anxiety, attention/deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and personality disorders.
Long Term
A person’s risk of incurring extensive physical, psychological, and social damage increases the longer they go without receiving appropriate treatment. Potential long-term effects of untreated BPD can include:
- Extended unemployment: Poor academic progress and a spotty job history can lead to persistent unemployment or underemployment among people with BPD. The longer this situation persists, it can become less and less likely that a person will be able to find a job that they can do well and hold onto.
- Declining physical health: Over time, untreated bipolar disorder can also endanger a person’s physical health. Aspects of this condition that can lead to medical problems include aggression, substance use, unhealthy diet, insufficient exercise, disrupted sleep patterns, and poor overall self-care.
- Inability to establish a satisfying independent lifestyle: The inability to find and keep a job can prevent a person with BPD from establishing financial independence. Declines in their physical and mental health can cause them to become increasingly more dependent on family members or caregivers.
- Social withdrawal and isolation: The cumulative impact of all the short- and long-term effects we listed previously can cause a person to lose hope for a more promising future. Pulling away from those who care about them and becoming isolated can accelerate this descent into emotional darkness.
- Elevated risk of suicide: Experts estimate that 30%-60% of people with bipolar disorder will make at least one attempt to end their own life, and about 15%-20% of those who have this condition will die by suicide. These rates are significantly higher than the past-year prevalence of attempted suicide (0.6%) completed suicides ( 0.014%) among all adults in the U.S.
Can Untreated Bipolar Disorder Lead to Dangerous Outcomes?
As described in the previous section, untreated bipolar disorder can lead to a host of dangerous outcomes, including both short-term damage and long-term harm.
Perhaps the clearest indication of the danger of untreated bipolar disorder is the impact that it can have on life span. Various studies have determined that the life expectancy of people with bipolar disorder may be as much as 13 years shorter than the expected life span of those who don’t have any serious mental illnesses.
Sadly, elevated suicide rates among people with bipolar disorder play a significant role in diminished life expectancy. But a person’s risk of early death may also be influenced by other features of untreated bipolar disorder, such as:
- Aggressiveness and violence
- Impulsiveness and recklessness
- Lack of effective personal support
- Use of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances
- Unhealthy lifestyle habits
- Co-occurring mental health concerns
- Noncompliance with medical or mental health guidance
How to Help Someone Who May Have Untreated Bipolar
You can’t cure someone who has bipolar disorder, but you can play an important role in keeping them safe and connecting them with appropriate care. Here are a few ways you can help:
- Educate yourself about the disorder: Learning about the symptoms and effects of bipolar disorder can help you to better understand what your loved one is dealing with.
- Research treatment options: Personalization is an essential aspect of effective mental health treatment. As you review treatment options, you can focus on identifying centers whose services and approach appear to best align with your loved one’s needs.
- Talk to your loved one: Pick a time when they don’t seem to be in the midst of a manic or depressive episode. Express your concern and emphasize your love and support. Most importantly, listen to them. Their willingness or hesitance to discuss their struggles or consider treatment can give you invaluable insights into their current state of mind.
- Set and maintain appropriate boundaries: Boundaries can help you protect your relationship and keep yourself and your loved one safe. Clearly communicate your expectations, let them know exactly what behaviors are unacceptable, and discuss consequences if your boundaries are violated.
- Get help from friends and family: Caring for someone who has untreated bipolar disorder can be a challenging endeavor. Ideally, you shouldn’t assume full responsibility on your own. If possible, recruit a small number of close friends and/or trusted family members to help.
You may also want to consider seeking professional help for yourself. When you’re close to someone who has a serious mental illness, you are going to be affected. Talking to a counselor or therapist can help you process your experiences and preserve your own mental health.
Remember: You can’t be fully supportive of someone else if you’re neglecting your own physical or emotional needs. Staying strong for yourself will also empower you to stay strong for your loved one.
Contact Montare About Our Bipolar-Specific Treatment Programs
Montare Behavioral Health offers multiple levels of customized care for people who have bipolar disorder and other complex mental illnesses.
Options at our bipolar disorder treatment centers in California and Arizona include inpatient care, intensive outpatient programming, and outpatient treatment. At each of these levels, patients follow individualized plans and work in close collaboration with a team of highly skilled professionals.
To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
Published: 12/20/2024
