Differences in Clinical Features and Mental Health Service Use in Bipolar Disorder Across the Lifespan

Bipolar disorder was only slightly less common among elderly patients in a large, public mental health system, compared to younger age-groups. Available clinical data revealed a mixed picture of bipolar disorder in late life, with more functional and cognitive impairment and less substance use disorder comorbidity and use of acute psychiatric services. Our findings suggest that older adults with bipolar disorder have unique mental health service needs.