Introduction
Bipolar disorder (BD) has a statistically higher risk of suicide than major depressive disorder. According to a study by Baldessarini et al. (2019), for major depressive disorder, the risk of suicide is about 17%, while for BD, this figure tends to be 30%. The increased suicidal risk in people with bipolar disorder may be associated with the specifics of the disease: the alternation of the manic and depressive phases and the complexity of diagnosis.
Suicidal Risk in Patients with Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is challenging to diagnose because the patient may exhibit opposite conditions. It is most commonly characterized by a cyclical pattern of manic and depressive episodes, during which the patient may present symptoms that mimic other psychiatric illnesses (Perrotta, 2019). Major depression is predominantly characterized by persistent despondency and a lack of interest in life for an extended period (Shi et al., 2023). Due to the wide range of symptoms and significant variability, BD is more difficult to diagnose and treat. A person is more likely to think about suicide without proper treatment. Delayed diagnosis may be a factor, due to which suicidal risks are higher in bipolar disorder than in major depression.
Bipolar disorder is an abrupt change in states and moods. During periods of mania, a person can actively lead a social life, make progress in their career and studies, and experience inner euphoria (Perrotta, 2019). Periods of depression are characterized by a deep sense of detachment (Perrotta, 2019). In contrast, major depression is characterized by near-constant despondency (Shi et al., 2023).
A significant and noticeable difference between the manic and depressive phases may be a factor that increases suicidal risk. A person may experience cravings for a manic state, and become more deeply immersed in depression, more strongly and pronounced than it can be with a depressive disorder. Mood swings and a deep depressive phase may be an explanation for why the suicidal risks are higher in BD.
Conclusion
In conclusion, abrupt phase changes and a complicated diagnostic profile are two factors that elevate the suicidal risk associated with bipolar disorder. A patient with BD may not receive proper treatment for a long time, which increases the risks. The abrupt change between manic and depressive phases leads to a more acute sense of loss of interest in life and the desire to return to the manic state. Timely diagnosis and smoothing of the phases of bipolar disorder is a practical approach to reducing suicidal risk.
References
Baldessarini, R. J., Tondo, L., Pinna, M., Nunez, N., & Vazquez, G. H. (2019). Suicidal risk factors in major affective disorders. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 215(4), 621–626.
Perrotta, G. (2019). Bipolar disorder: Definition, differential diagnosis, clinical contexts, and therapeutic approaches. Journal of Neuroscience and Neurological Surgery, 5(1), 1–6.
Shi, Y., Peng, D., Zhang, C., Mellor, D., Wang, H., Fang, Y., & Wu, Z. (2023). Characteristics and symptomatology of major depressive disorder with atypical features from symptom to syndromal level. Journal of Affective Disorders, 333(1), 249–256.