A new analysis of official health data shows a sharp rise in unemployment among adults in England who screen positive for probable bipolar disorder, pointing to gaps in diagnosis and access to support.
Data from NHS England’s Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS) for 2024, published in November 2025, was analysed by the mental health charity Bipolar UK. The survey measures the prevalence of mental health conditions, tracks trends and evaluates access to treatment. It uses the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) to identify probable cases of bipolar disorder.
Unemployment among those screening positive for probable bipolar disorder increased from 3.9% in 2014–9% in 2024, doubling over the decade. This rise occurred while the proportion of adults screening positive remained stable at around one in fifty, or approximately 2%, in both survey periods.
More than one million people in the UK are estimated to live with bipolar disorder, a condition characterised by significant mood swings. While many manage it effectively with appropriate care, employment rates remain far below the general population average of about 75%.
The analysis highlights significant gaps in diagnosis. Only 17.8% of people who screened positive for probable bipolar disorder reported receiving a professional diagnosis.
Among those diagnosed, the proportion using bipolar-specific medication fell from 14.5%–5.1%.
Bipolar UK links these trends to underdiagnosis and limited access to specialist treatment.
Simon Kitchen, chief executive of Bipolar UK, said: “This is the first time this survey has been conducted since 2014, and while the rise in unemployment among people living with bipolar is deeply concerning, it points to a much bigger failure in the system.
“Fewer than one in five people who tested positive for probable bipolar have received a professional diagnosis. Without this, people are far less likely to access the specialist treatment and support that helps them stay well. This can have serious consequences for every part of their lives, including their ability to work.
“We regularly hear from people who are struggling at work or falling out of employment altogether, not because they can’t or don’t want to work, but because the right care isn’t in place. Delays to diagnosis leave people managing severe symptoms alone, often for years.
“For those who do have a diagnosis, a lack of understanding about bipolar in the workplace can add further barriers. Despite protections under the Equality Act, many people tell us they fear stigma or negative consequences if they talk about their condition, and that reasonable adjustments are not always offered or understood.
“This data challenges the misconception that people with bipolar are unable to work. The real issue is a system that diagnoses too late and fails to provide consistent, specialist support. That failure is potentially pushing people out of work who could otherwise live well and fulfil their potential.”
Reasonable workplace adjustments can significantly improve outcomes for people with bipolar disorder. These include flexible working arrangements, time off for medical appointments, and support plans following periods of illness, many of which are low-cost and straightforward to implement.
Kitchen added: “The benefits of empowering people with bipolar are enormous, for individuals, their families, employers, the NHS and the wider economy. The charity has worked with, and continues to support, thousands of people with bipolar who are working successfully across a wide range of sectors.
“Improving diagnosis rates and building bipolar-friendly workplaces benefits everyone.”
Bipolar UK’s campaign, Maybe it’s bipolar?, aims to raise awareness of symptoms and encourage people to seek assessment. It directs individuals to complete the MDQ and provides guidance on accessing support.
The campaign seeks to reduce the average 9.5-year delay to diagnosis, enabling earlier treatment and better long-term outcomes.
The APMS also found links between screening positive for bipolar disorder and socioeconomic challenges, including higher rates among people who are unemployed (9.0%), economically inactive (4.9%), in problem debt (6.4%), or living in deprived areas (3.6%). These findings reflect broader inequalities in mental health outcomes.