What are the most common dangers associated with bipolar disorder?

What are the most common dangers associated with bipolar disorder?

Christopher Reist (Academic Psychiatrist, Co-Author of “Psychiatry”) gives expert video advice on: What's the difference between "major depression" and "bipolar disorder"?; Is there anything I can do to avoid developing bipolar disorder? and more...

Similarly to depression, the incidence of suicide by bipolar disorder sufferers is very high. Approximately 1 to 15 percent of bipolar patients will commit suicide over their lifetime. Bipolar disorder is associated with a number of other dangers. These dangers include problems with the legal system due to poor judgment during manic episodes. Also, bipolar patients on spending sprees during mania can incur significant financial losses that can impact their life in the future. There is a danger of considerable social disruption through divorce and loss of children because of bipolar disorder.