What’s the Connection Between Bipolar Disorder and Suicide?
By Lauren Krouse
Many health conditions can become life-threatening if they’re not treated properly or symptoms get worse, and bipolar disorder is no different. People with bipolar disorder are at a higher risk of struggling with alcohol or drugs, self-injury, thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts, and dying by suicide.
If you’re worried someone is in immediate danger, listen to your gut, don’t leave them alone, and ask them whether they’re thinking about suicide.
If you or someone you know needs help right now:
- Text “HOME” to 741741 (Crisis Text Line) for a free, confidential conversation with a trained counselor any time of day.
- Text or call 988, or use the chat function at 988Lifeline.org.
- If this is a medical emergency or there is immediate danger of harm, call 911 and explain that you need support for a mental health crisis.
Nearly a third of adolescents with bipolar disorder have attempted suicide, and most people with bipolar disorder who die by suicide are not getting treatment.
Not everyone with bipolar disorder will face these struggles, but it’s important to get the professional support you need and plan ahead to stay safe.
Why Do People with Bipolar Disorder Have a Higher Risk of Suicide?
Bipolar disorder can cause intense highs and lows, as well as a mix of these extremes, all at once. When you’re living with bipolar disorder and your mood dips, your lows can become especially low, which can lead to a higher risk of suicide.
Manic episodes—when you’re feeling super high, prone to taking risks, or seeing or believing things that aren’t real—can also lead to a risk of accidentally hurting yourself.
Researchers believe a handful of things may increase your risk of suicide while living with bipolar disorder. These include:
- Previous suicide attempts
- A family history of suicide
- Being in the early years of a diagnosis
- Being under the age of 35
- Having a severe depressive episode
- Leaving bipolar disorder untreated
- Having other mental health conditions, as well, like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or personality disorders
- Struggles with drugs or alcohol
The time immediately after being released from the hospital or admitted into the hospital for psychiatric reasons, like a depressive episode or attempted suicide, is also linked to a much higher risk of suicide.
What Can You Do About Bipolar Disorder and Suicide Risk?
Just as we know there are risk factors for suicide when you’re living with bipolar disorder, we also know there are many ways you can stay safe.
- Get treatment for bipolar disorder and stick with it. The majority of people with bipolar disorder who have died by suicide weren’t getting the support and treatment they needed, and treatment can make a huge difference. One medication called lithium can effectively lower suicide risk.
- Lean on family and loved ones. Social support can keep you accountable, help you stay on track, and be another set of eyes and ears when it comes to noticing it’s time for you to get more help.
- Use coping strategies. Figuring out how your symptoms affect you and how to manage them is key, too. Learn more about how to get help and manage bipolar disorder.
- Stay connected with your health care providers during high-risk times. Since there’s a heightened risk for suicide after being released from the hospital, it’s especially important to stay in touch with your health care providers during this time with regular check-ins and appointments.
Remember: Bipolar Disorder Is Treatable, and Suicide Is Preventable
The link between bipolar disorder and a higher suicide risk is serious, but there’s a lot that you can do about it. Sticking with treatment, creating a safety plan, and knowing the warning signs of suicide could help save a life—yours or someone else’s.
If you or someone you love needs help right now:
- Text “HOME” to 741741 (Crisis Text Line) for a free, confidential conversation with a trained counselor any time of day.
- Text or call 988, or use the chat function at 988Lifeline.org.
If this is a medical emergency or there is immediate danger of harm, call 911 and explain that you need support for a mental health crisis.
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