Late stages are characterized by chronic cognitive and functional impairment, often with subsyndromal mood symptoms and are associated with refractoriness to standard treatment options. There is a paucity of clinical trials examining the differential impact of treatments on different stages of illness.

What is the last stage of bipolar disorder?

Exhaustion, lack of energy. Feelings of worthlessness, self-loathing and guilt. Irritability. Ongoing thoughts of death or suicide.

How do you die from bipolar disorder?

Suicide is a major risk for people with bipolar disorder. Between 25% and 50% of those with bipolar disorder attempt suicide, and 15% die by suicide.

What makes a mental illness severe?

Serious Mental Illness (SMI) is defined as someone over the age of 18 who has (or had within the past year) a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that causes serious functional impairment that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.

Does bipolar damage the brain?

Bipolar episodes decrease brain size, and possibly intelligence. Grey matter in the brains of people with bipolar disorder is destroyed with each manic or depressive episode.