Bipolar Disorder in Older Adults: Symptoms, Cognitive Impact, and Supportive Activities

• By: Jill Hanika Stout, BA Mental Health Professional and Self-Advocate
• September 25th, 2025
• bipolar disorder, cognitive impairment, dementia misdiagnosis, Fall 2025 Issue, mania and depression symptoms, mild cognitive impairment, older adults, social and physical engagement, therapeutic interventions
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Bipolar disorder in older adults is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed as dementia, early Alzheimer’s disease, or even normal age-related cognitive decline (Brown et al., 2011). It is important to distinguish older age bipolar disorder from these diagnoses because treatments and medications are...