US Is Most Bipolar Country in New Survey

Are Americans more prone to bipolar disorder? You might get that idea looking at the data from a new survey on the condition from the World Health Organization. The survey, which examined nearly 62,000 people in 11 countries, found that the illness occurs in roughly 2.4% of the population worldwide. But in the US, that figure was at 4.4%, the highest of any of the 11 nations, the LA Times reports.

The survey also reached some disturbing conclusions about the disorder, finding, for example, that 1 in every 4 or 5 persons with bipolar I or II disorder had attempted suicide. “Bipolar disorder is responsible for the loss of more disability-adjusted life-years than all forms of cancer or major neurological conditions such as epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease,” the researchers said. (More bipolar disorder stories.)