Health

Why Maybe It’s Bipolar Is The Wake-Up Call Millions Need

Tuesday, 18 November 2025 5:08AM UTC

Shoppers are turning their attention to mental health campaigns as Bipolar UK pushes a clear message: maybe it’s bipolar. The charity warns that around one million people in the UK could be living with bipolar disorder and many are undiagnosed, with diagnosis taking an average of nine-and-a-half years , a long time to go without the right support.

Hidden scale: Bipolar UK estimates about one million people in the UK are living with bipolar, but over half remain undiagnosed.
Lengthy delay: On average it takes nine-and-a-half years from first seeking help to getting a bipolar diagnosis, which can mean years of wrong treatment and worse outcomes.
Recognisable signs: Four common hypomania symptoms flagged by the charity are poor sleep, impulsive spending, severe irritability or rage, and hypersexual behaviour , all of which can feel bewildering and isolating.
Real voices: People with lived experience say misdiagnosis and inappropriate medication made symptoms worse, and receiving the correct diagnosis felt life-saving.
Practical step: Bipolar UK’s online test and short film ‘Maybe It’s Bipolar’ are designed to prompt people to seek help earlier and get specialist care sooner.

This campaign hits home because the delays have real consequences

Put simply, a delayed diagnosis isn’t just a statistic , it’s lost years. When people are misdiagnosed, they can be given treatments that don’t help or that worsen hypomanic or manic states, making jobs, relationships and finances fragile. That wired, sleepless feeling or a week of out-of-control spending doesn’t just pass unnoticed; it often leaves a trail of practical damage and emotional shame.

Hearing first-hand stories makes the scale feel immediate. Ambassadors behind the film describe a decade of trial-and-error treatments, memory loss and moments they barely recognise. Those sensory details , the sleepless nights, the sudden highs, the shame after impulsive choices , are what make the campaign resonate.

Four hypomania clues to watch for and why they matter

Bipolar UK focuses attention on four symptoms that are commonly missed. Difficulty sleeping can look like productivity or weird bursts of energy, but it’s often the brain being too wired to shut off. Impulsive shopping may be laughed off as a phase, when it’s actually a pattern tied to mood swings. Intense irritability or rage can frighten partners and colleagues, and hypersexual behaviour is often misunderstood and stigmatised, so people hide it.

Spotting those signs early matters because specialist treatment and support improve long-term outcomes. The charity’s message , maybe it’s bipolar , is intentionally gentle; it invites reflection and a first step, not a self-diagnosis checklist.

How the health system and charities are responding right now

This isn’t just one group shouting into the void. Bipolar UK’s findings echo wider concerns about mental health services and diagnostic delays across the NHS. Reports from health bodies flag long waits for specialist assessments and treatment, and campaigns like this one aim to bridge the gap between a person’s first doubts and professional help. The charity also offers an online test and resources that can help people prepare for conversations with GPs and mental health teams.

Still, structural change is needed. Short-term, awareness drives can speed people into assessment. Longer-term, services have to catch up so diagnosis and follow-up care don’t take years.

Practical steps if you think it could be you or someone you care about

If a pattern of symptoms feels familiar, start small. Use Bipolar UK’s online screening tools to gather your thoughts before a GP visit. Take notes about sleep, spending, mood highs and lows, and any episodes that led to risky behaviour. Bring a trusted friend or family member to appointments if possible , they can offer observations that you might not recognise.

And be persistent. If your symptoms are dismissed or medication makes things worse, ask for a second opinion or referral to a specialist. Early diagnosis and the right treatment plan can stabilise moods and prevent the kinds of losses the charity warns about.

Why the stories matter more than statistics

Numbers tell you there’s a problem; personal stories tell you what it feels like. Ambassadors on the film describe relief and a kind of return to themselves after a correct diagnosis , that emotional texture is the campaign’s power. It’s not about scaring people, it’s about offering a lifeline: consider this possibility, check the signs, and ask for help.

It’s a small intervention that can change the course of a life.

Ready to take a next step? Check Bipolar UK’s online test and resources, and if something resonates, book an appointment with your GP to talk it through.

More on this

https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/health/four-signs-mental-health-condition-32888765 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.bipolaruk.org/about-bipolar/diagnosing-bipolar/understanding-diagnosis-delay/ - Bipolar UK estimates that approximately one million individuals in the UK are affected by bipolar disorder, equating to about 2% of the population. However, a significant delay in diagnosis is common, with an average of nine and a half years between the onset of symptoms and receiving an accurate diagnosis. This prolonged period without proper diagnosis and treatment can lead to severe consequences, including the risk of losing jobs, relationships, homes, and even lives. The charity emphasizes the importance of timely diagnosis and specialist treatment for better long-term outcomes.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bipolar-disorder/ - Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood changes, including periods of high mood (mania or hypomania) and low mood (depression). Symptoms of high mood may include feeling very happy, excited, or energetic, while low mood symptoms can involve feelings of sadness, tiredness, or hopelessness. These mood swings can last for days or weeks and can significantly impact daily life. Treatment typically involves a combination of medications and talking therapies to help manage the condition.
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/conditions/bipolar-disorder - Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a condition that affects mood, leading to periods of both deep depression and excessively high mood (mania). During depressive episodes, individuals may experience feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and lethargy. In contrast, manic episodes are marked by elevated mood, increased energy, and overactivity. These mood swings can last for several weeks or months and can significantly impact daily life and relationships.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25992560/ - A study published in PubMed investigated the delays in diagnosis and initiation of treatment for patients presenting to mental health services with bipolar disorder. The research found that the median diagnostic delay was 62 days, and the median treatment delay was 31 days. Factors such as prior diagnoses of other psychiatric disorders, including alcohol and substance misuse, were associated with increased diagnostic delays. The study highlights the need for strategies to identify underlying symptoms and offer appropriate treatment sooner to improve clinical outcomes.
https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/news-and-features/latest-news/detail/2024/03/30/government-must-urgently-reduce-bipolar-treatment-queues?searchTerms=mental+health+diagnosis+crisis - A press release from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, in collaboration with Bipolar UK, calls on the UK Government to urgently address the crisis in mental health diagnosis and treatment. The release highlights that, on average, it takes 9.5 years to receive an accurate bipolar diagnosis, leading to significant risks for individuals, including loss of employment, relationships, and even lives. The statement emphasizes the need for timely diagnosis and specialist treatment to improve long-term outcomes for those affected by bipolar disorder.
https://www.bipolaruk.org/bipolar-commission-findings - The Bipolar Commission, established by Bipolar UK, has released key findings regarding the impact of bipolar disorder in the UK. The report indicates that more than a million people live with bipolar disorder, and over five million friends and family members are significantly affected by a loved one’s condition. Additionally, the report highlights that after first telling a healthcare professional about symptoms, it takes an average of 9.5 years to receive a diagnosis. The findings underscore the urgent need for improved diagnosis and treatment pathways for individuals with bipolar disorder.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative presents recent data from Bipolar UK, including the statistic that approximately one million people in the UK are living with bipolar disorder, with over half remaining undiagnosed. This aligns with information from Bipolar UK's written evidence submitted to the Health and Social Care Committee in September 2023. ([committees.parliament.uk](https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/118156/pdf/?utm_source=openai)) The report also mentions that it takes, on average, nine and a half years from first seeking help to receiving a bipolar diagnosis, which is consistent with the committee's findings. ([committees.parliament.uk](https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/15535/pdf/?utm_source=openai)) The inclusion of these statistics suggests that the narrative is based on recent data, enhancing its freshness score. However, the specific article from Get Surrey was published on 18 November 2025, which is within the past seven days, indicating that the content is current. There is no evidence to suggest that the narrative has been recycled from older sources or republished across low-quality sites. The campaign's focus on four common hypomania symptoms—poor sleep, impulsive spending, severe irritability or rage, and hypersexual behaviour—appears to be original content. The narrative also includes personal stories and practical steps, which are not found in earlier versions, further supporting its originality. Therefore, the freshness score is high, with no significant concerns about recycled content.

Quotes check

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative includes direct quotes from individuals with lived experience of bipolar disorder, discussing misdiagnosis, inappropriate medication, and the life-saving impact of receiving the correct diagnosis. These personal accounts are not found in earlier material, indicating that they are original or exclusive content. The wording of the quotes varies slightly from other sources, suggesting that they are not directly reused. The absence of identical quotes in earlier material further supports the originality of the content. Therefore, the quotes score is high, with no significant concerns about reused content.

Source reliability

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative originates from Get Surrey, a regional news outlet. While Get Surrey is not as widely recognised as national media organisations, it is a legitimate source of local news. The report references Bipolar UK's written evidence submitted to the Health and Social Care Committee, which is a reputable source. The inclusion of personal stories adds credibility to the narrative. However, the reliance on a single regional news outlet and the absence of corroboration from other reputable sources slightly reduce the source reliability score.

Plausability check

Score: 9

Notes: The claims made in the narrative are plausible and supported by recent data from Bipolar UK and the Health and Social Care Committee. The inclusion of personal stories adds authenticity to the report. The language and tone are consistent with typical reporting on mental health issues, and there are no signs of excessive or off-topic detail. The narrative does not make any surprising or impactful claims that are not covered elsewhere, and it includes specific factual anchors such as names, institutions, and dates. Therefore, the plausibility score is high, with no significant concerns.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative presents recent and original content, with high freshness and originality scores. The quotes are unique and not reused from earlier material. While the source reliability score is slightly reduced due to the reliance on a single regional news outlet, the inclusion of reputable sources and personal stories adds credibility. The plausibility score is high, with no significant concerns. Therefore, the overall assessment is a PASS with high confidence.