(EMAILWIRE.COM, January 17, 2003 ) About 2.3 million American adults are known to suffer from bipolar disorder - also known as manic depression. But a new landmark study finds three times more Americans may suffer from the life-long mental illness and don't even know it. It represents the first study to show the true prevalence of bipolar disorder using a standard criteria. If not treated, the disorder can lead to devastating consequences, such as drug, alcohol abuse and suicide.

The study of more than 85,000 Americans found that 80 percent of patients who screened positive for bipolar disorder had not been diagnosed, and one-third were misdiagnosed with normal depression. Patients typically go through, on average, three doctors and four misdiagnoses over ten years. The study was published in this month's Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.

Bipolar disorder is often characterized by distressing and disruptive mood swings. The study results underscore the need for early and accurate diagnosis. Someone suffering from the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder should visit dbsalliance.org to complete a confidential screening tool and consult a physician.

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