Bipolar Disorder

Abstract

TO THE EDITOR: Belmaker (July 29 issue)1 reviews the syndrome of bipolar disorder. The lifetime prevalence of bipolar disorders among patients in primary care and general medical settings is considerably higher2 than the approximately 1 percent consistently reported in the general population.3 Patients with bipolar disorder are much more likely to seek help when they are depressed, and a history of manic or hypomanic symptoms can be easily missed.