Bipolar Disorder in Georgia: What the Numbers Aren’t Telling Us

Bipolar disorder is more common than people think. It causes intense mood shifts that go far beyond everyday ups and downs. And it affects thousands of people right here in Georgia.

But here’s the problem: Georgia doesn’t really track Bipolar statistics in Georgia closely. The most recent state-level survey is over a decade old. 

So even though national data tells us a lot, we’re missing the full picture in our own backyard.

This blog dives into the numbers we do have. We’ll look at who’s most affected by bipolar disorder in Georgia and across the U.S., how it connects to things like gender and substance use, and what treatment can actually help.

Quick Facts: What the Research Shows

Here’s what we know from the most trusted sources on bipolar disorder:

• In Georgia, the most recent estimate showed that 1.3% of adults had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder 
• In the U.S., 2.8% of adults live with bipolar disorder every year  
• Bipolar disorder affects men and women equally overall, but the way it shows up can look very different 
• Most people are diagnosed before age 25, often after a major life disruption or hospitalization 
• People with bipolar disorder face a higher risk of suicide, substance use, and hospital stays compared to almost any other mental health diagnosis 
• It often shows up with other disorders like anxiety, ADHD, or PTSD, making diagnosis and treatment more complex

Bottom line: This is a lifelong condition that affects nearly every part of a person’s life. And many people in Georgia may be struggling without even realizing it.

How Many People in Georgia Have Bipolar Disorder?

Let’s start with what we know.

A study looked at responses from over 1,600 Georgia residents. It found that 1.3% of adults reported being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. That may sound low, but it’s likely an undercount.

Why? Because more recent national data shows that 2.8% of U.S. adults live with bipolar disorder every year.

Now let’s apply that to Georgia:

• Georgia has about 7.5 million adults
• At 1.3%, that’s about 97,500 people
• At 2.8%, that’s over 210,000 people

That’s a big difference.

So what’s going on?

• Georgia hasn’t released updated, bipolar-specific numbers in over 10 years
• Many people go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed
• Bipolar disorder often gets confused with depression, anxiety, or even ADHD

And yet, every one of those numbers represents a real person, someone who may be struggling with extreme mood shifts, broken relationships, or job loss without knowing why.

We believe better data leads to better care. That’s why we offer thorough assessments and personalized treatment plans for anyone who thinks they might be dealing with bipolar disorder.

Bipolar Disorder by Gender and Race

Bipolar disorder affects men and women at nearly equal rates, but that doesn’t mean the experience is the same.

• Men are more likely to have manic episodes and substance use issues
• Women are more likely to have depressive episodes, rapid cycling, and anxiety

Gender also affects diagnosis. Many women are first misdiagnosed with depression. Many men don’t seek help until a crisis. We take time to understand each client’s full history because bipolar disorder rarely looks the same twice.

Race matters, too. Research shows that Black and Hispanic Americans are underdiagnosed with bipolar disorder. 

When they do receive a diagnosis, it’s often after being misdiagnosed with schizophrenia or depression.

Some reasons include:

• Cultural stigma around mental health
• Fewer psychiatric providers in minority communities
• Diagnostic bias in hospitals and emergency rooms

These gaps in diagnosis can delay treatment for years. That’s why culturally informed care is essential. We serve a diverse population in the Atlanta area, offering respect, representation, and recovery all in one place.

Bipolar Disorder by Age and Life Stage

Most people with bipolar disorder experience their first symptoms in their late teens or early twenties. According to national research, about 75% of cases begin before age 25.

That early start makes things harder.

• Young adults may not understand what’s happening
• Friends and family often mistake mood swings for “just stress.”
• Schools and employers may not be prepared to help

When symptoms go untreated, things escalate. Many people experience:

• Academic failure or job loss
• Financial problems
• Legal trouble or hospitalization

Older adults can develop bipolar disorder, too, but it’s rarer. Late-onset bipolar is often linked to neurological changes or medication interactions. That’s why a detailed assessment is key, especially for seniors.

Georgia’s mental health system sees high numbers of young adults needing care. But many don’t get the help they need until years later. 

We offer support across the lifespan, from age-specific therapy groups to medication support and family education.

Early treatment doesn’t just reduce symptoms, it protects futures.

Bipolar Disorder and Relationships

Bipolar disorder doesn’t just affect the person diagnosed; it affects everyone around them.

One of the most overlooked parts of bipolar disorder is how it impacts relationships, marriage, and parenting. Studies show that people with bipolar disorder have:

• Higher rates of divorce (up to twice the general population)
• More difficulty maintaining long-term romantic relationships
• Increased emotional strain in family dynamics

This happens because mood episodes don’t just disrupt one person; they shake entire support systems.

During manic phases, someone might:

• Overspend
• Lash out emotionally
• Become sexually impulsive

During depressive phases, they may:

• Withdraw
• Miss work
• Struggle with daily responsibilities

Loved ones are often left confused, worried, or burned out. That’s why treatment must include the entire support network.

We offer family programming to help partners, parents, and close friends understand what’s going on. We teach practical tools for navigating bipolar disorder together because healing is a team effort.

Common Traits and Behavioral Patterns

Bipolar disorder isn’t just about being happy one day and sad the next. The mood swings can be intense and unpredictable, and they affect how a person thinks, feels, and acts.

Here are some common signs during different phases:

During manic or hypomanic episodes:

• Big bursts of energy
• Racing thoughts or talking fast
• Trouble sleeping
• Risky choices like overspending or unsafe sex
• Feeling overly confident or irritable

During depressive episodes:

• Feeling hopeless or empty
• Sleeping too much or not at all
• No interest in things they used to enjoy
• Trouble concentrating
• Thinking about death or suicide

Some people also experience mixed episodes, where signs of both mania and depression show up at the same time. These are especially tough to manage and can feel very confusing.

Traits like impulsivity, high emotion, or quick shifts in mood may be brushed off as “just a phase.” But for people with bipolar disorder, these are real medical symptoms that need attention.

Southern Live Oak Wellness provides full assessments to look beyond the surface and help clients understand what’s really going on. Getting the right diagnosis is the first step toward stability.

Bipolar Statistics in Georgia: Criminal Behavior

Most people with bipolar disorder are not violent. However, research shows that a small group of individuals, especially those who don’t get treatment, may be at higher risk for legal problems.

One study in Sweden found that people with bipolar disorder had a slightly higher risk of violent crime compared to the general public. But the biggest risk factor wasn’t the bipolar diagnosis; it was substance use.

Here’s what the data showed:

• Without substance use, the risk dropped to just a little above average
• Most violence was linked to untreated mania, psychosis, or alcohol/drug problems

So what does this mean?

• Bipolar disorder alone doesn’t lead to criminal behavior
• Co-occurring addiction greatly increases risk
• Treatment makes a huge difference in outcomes

With the right care, people with bipolar disorder can live full, stable, and law-abiding lives.

National Demographics and Comparisons

Georgia’s last bipolar-specific stat came out in 2013. So we often rely on national numbers to understand who’s affected.

Here’s what the national data tells us:

• 4.4% of U.S. adults have bipolar disorder at some point in their lives
• 2.8% experience symptoms in any given year
• Men and women are equally affected overall
• Most are diagnosed by age 25
• Bipolar disorder is one of the top causes of disability in young adults

Some other national trends:

• More common in people who are unmarried or unemployed
• Tied to lower income and higher healthcare costs
• Often found alongside anxiety, ADHD, or substance use

If we apply these patterns to Georgia, it’s likely that over 200,000 adults are living with bipolar disorder today, even if only a fraction have been formally diagnosed.

We help clients get the answers and the treatment they deserve.

Co-Occurring Substance Use and Mental Illness

Bipolar disorder rarely shows up alone. Most people with it also deal with other mental health conditions or substance use.

Here’s what the research says:

• Over 60% of people with bipolar disorder will have a substance use disorder at some point in their lives 
• Many also have anxiety disorders, ADHD, or PTSD
• Physical health issues like migraines, heart problems, and thyroid issues are common, too

These co-occurring issues make treatment more complex. For example:

• Mania can increase impulsive drinking or drug use
• Depression can lead to emotional eating or isolation
• Medications for one issue might make another worse

That’s why it’s so important to treat the full picture, not just the mood swings.

Our clinical team is trained to address dual diagnoses, including both mental illness and substance use. 

We offer medication stabilization, trauma-informed therapy, and group support designed to help clients manage everything they’re facing, not just one piece of the puzzle.

You can’t heal what you don’t treat. We’re here to treat all of it, with care and clarity.

Suicide Risk and Hospitalization

One of the most serious facts about bipolar disorder is how closely it’s linked to suicidal thoughts and hospital stays.

According to national research:

• More than half will be hospitalized at some point in their lives
• Suicide risk is even higher during mixed episodes when people feel depressed but also have energy and agitation

This is not just about feeling sad. It’s about real danger.

Here are a few red flags:

• Saying things like “what’s the point?” or “I wish I could disappear”
• Sudden withdrawal from family or friends
• Reckless behavior or giving away belongings

Bipolar disorder can be deadly when untreated. But early intervention saves lives.

If someone is struggling with suicidal thoughts, we help stabilize their mood and build a plan for safety. Our goal is not just to treat the crisis, but to create a path to long-term recovery.

You’re not alone. And you don’t have to wait for things to get worse.

Treatment Access and Outcomes

Bipolar disorder is highly treatable, but getting care isn’t always easy.

Some barriers people face:

• Misdiagnosis (especially as just depression or ADHD)
• Stigma around mental illness
• Trouble affording care or getting time off work
• A lack of local providers, especially in rural areas

But here’s the good news: When people do get the right care, outcomes improve fast.

Research shows that a mix of treatments works best:

• Education for both the client and their family
• Mood stabilizers and antipsychotic medications
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

We build personalized treatment plans based on each client’s needs. That might include:

• Partial Hospitalization (PHP)
• Intensive Outpatient (IOP)
• Medication management
• Family involvement
• Therapeutic living options for extra support

We meet clients where they are and help them get where they want to go.

Bringing It All Together

Bipolar disorder can feel overwhelming, but help is available. 

At Southern Live Oak Wellness, we provide compassionate, evidence-based care for people living with mood disorders. 

Whether you’ve been diagnosed or are just starting to ask questions, our team is here to guide you toward stability and healing.

If you’re in Georgia and need support, reach out today.