It's estimated that bipolar costs the UK economy £20 billion a year, but what about the social costs to the individual? We sent out a survey in early 2025 to help us understand the social stigmas and stereotypes linked to having bipolar, and how this impacts our community when it comes to the support and treatment they receive.
The survey of 862 respondents reveals the significant impact that stigma still has on people living with and affected by bipolar. From relationships to workplace environments and healthcare, the stigma of bipolar has far-reaching effects on the lives of those living with the condition.
key statistics from our survey:
- 65% of people felt that they had been treated unfairly or that their rights had been denied because they have bipolar
- 68% of people felt that stigma had caused them to not follow their ambitions or dreams
- 25% of people feel that ‘most healthcare providers don’t understand’ the specific challenges of living with bipolar, with only 17% of respondents feeling that all or most healthcare providers understand the specific challenges of living with bipolar
- Nearly half (49%) of people told us they’d avoided seeing a doctor because of negative experiences of stigma
- Over half of people who filled in the survey (51%) told us their physical health has been affected because their doctor or healthcare professional didn’t understand bipolar
- 16% of respondents say they’ve had negative or very negative experiences of telling colleagues about their condition.
- 67% of people say bipolar stigma has affected their ability to make or keep friends
- More than a third of respondents (69%) say bipolar stigma has had an impact on family relationships
- Nearly a quarter (22%) of respondents say they would only tell a new partner about their diagnosis once in a committed relationship, with 4% saying they would never tell their partner at all
You can read more about the impact of stigma on people living with bipolar here
Last updated: 27 March 2025