Page "Mental disorder" Paragraph 28

Around half of people initially diagnosed with bipolar disorder achieve syndromal recovery ( no longer meeting criteria for the diagnosis ) within six weeks, and nearly all achieve it within two years, with nearly half regaining their prior occupational and residential status in that period.

However, nearly half go on to experience a new episode of mania or major depression within the next two years.

Functioning has been found to vary, being poor during periods of major depression or mania but otherwise fair to good, and possibly superior during periods of hypomania in Bipolar II.