Expert: Libby Bonner - 8/7/2009

Question
What is the  percentage of adults being treated for bipolar and are able to live a productive and
happy life?

Answer
You may want to confer w/ another expert -- how well you do depends on so many factors.

Here are some things that affect outcomes:  how long person was sick before diagnosis; how long after diagnosis that person decides to take meds regularly, forever; whether the patient gets onto the right meds, and right doses; whether the patient has a substance abuses problem, and continues w/ substance use after diagnosis.

Just from my own observation, I think it's easier to get going w/ a successful adult life if they are 25 or older at the time you become ill, having completed most of the developmental tasks of adolescents and young adults.  Unfortunately, probably a majority of patients become ill around ages 17- 22 or so.  If that were the case - young when they got sick - they might profit from more than just treatment w/ prescriptions...to help make up some of the "missing parts."  Or even to accept some advice from caring adults from time to time, who might be more aware of "gaps" than the patient is.

You are welcome to write again and send more info about the pt.