Translation guide
A mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings. In Japanese, the clinical term is 双極性障害, but 躁うつ病 is also common. This guide covers how to talk about the condition, its symptoms, and related expressions.
Referring to bipolar disorder as a medical diagnosis.
The standard clinical term. Literally 'bipolar disorder'. Used in medical contexts and increasingly in general conversation.
彼は双極性障害と診断された。
He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Older term meaning 'manic-depressive illness'. Still widely understood and used, though 双極性障害 is preferred in formal settings.
躁うつ病の治療には薬が欠かせない。
Medication is essential for treating bipolar disorder.
Loanword from English. Sometimes used in casual conversation or by younger people, but not standard.
バイポーラーの人って結構いるよね。
There are quite a few people with bipolar disorder, aren't there?
Describing the manic or hypomanic phase.
Manic state. Used to describe the elevated mood phase.
躁状態の時は、ほとんど眠らなくても平気だ。
When I'm in a manic state, I feel fine even with almost no sleep.
Hypomanic state. A milder form of mania.
軽躁状態だと、すごく生産的になれる。
When I'm hypomanic, I can be incredibly productive.
Describing the depressive phase.
Depressive state. The low mood phase.
うつ状態が続いて、仕事に行けなくなった。
The depressive state continued, and I couldn't go to work.
Referring to the characteristic shifts between mania and depression.
Literally 'waves of mood'. A common, natural way to describe mood swings.
双極性障害は気分の波が激しい病気です。
Bipolar disorder is an illness with severe mood swings.
Ups and downs of mood. Slightly more casual than 気分の波.
気分の浮き沈みが激しくて、周りも大変だ。
My mood swings are so severe that it's hard on those around me.
Referring to someone who has the condition.
Person with bipolar disorder. Neutral and respectful.
双極性障害の人でも、適切な治療で安定した生活を送れます。
Even people with bipolar disorder can lead stable lives with proper treatment.
Person with manic-depressive illness. Slightly older term but still used.
躁うつ病の人は、周囲の理解が必要だ。
People with bipolar disorder need understanding from those around them.
Terms like 気違い (きちがい) are highly offensive and should never be used. Stick to clinical or neutral expressions.
双極性障害 is the modern, official term and is preferred in medical and formal contexts. 躁うつ病 is still common in everyday speech but may be seen as slightly outdated. Both are acceptable, but 双極性障害 is safer in writing or when speaking to professionals.