More than 10% of homeless individuals may have bipolar disorder

A small review of studies with homeless individuals finds that around 10% of this population may have bipolar disorder. Scientists analyzed 10 studies — which included a total of 4,300 homeless individuals with bipolar disorder —and found that the prevalence of the condition was 11%, while only around 1% of those in the general population are thought to have it. Bipolar disorder among homeless people in non-European countries (mainly North America and Brazil) was more than 13%. The researchers suggest that the increased prevalence of physical, emotional, and sexual trauma among homeless people may be among the reasons that may explain the more than tenfold difference in the prevalence of bipolar disorder in this population versus in other individuals.