US spike in bipolar disorder searches sparks mental health awareness

Search engine analysis by Althea Soft between February 2023 and January 2025 has revealed a spike in searches for bipolar disorder and other related mental health conditions across several US cities.

This data was used to analyze population trends and identify regions with the highest search activity for bipolar disorder-related medical conditions, providing insights into national mental health concerns.

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings that often include emotional highs called “mania” and extreme depression.

These mood, energy, and activity shifts significantly affect daily life, relationships, and work.

Des Moines, Iowa, had the highest increase (38.9%), highlighting growing mental health concerns in the area.

Honolulu, Hawaii ranked second with a 34.08% increase in searches for bipolar disorder.

Rochester, New York came third with a 19.5% increase. Other cities with increased search activity include Charleston, South Carolina (11.4%), Bellevue, Nebraska (8.2%) and Detroit, Michigan (6.21%).

Wilmington, Delaware, had the largest decline, with a 50.8% decrease in searches. Salem, Oregon, had the second-largest decline, with searches dropping 49.9% from the previous year. Hartford, Connecticut, ranked third in declining search interest, with a 37.3% decrease. Other cities with significant declines in searches include Tucson, Arizona (35.11%), Birmingham, Alabama (-32.3%) and Orlando, Florida (-26.64%).

Laura Free from Althea Soft commented, “bipolar disorder can be a debilitating condition. Keeping a symptom diary on an app or tracking mood changes day-to-day on your calendar can be helpful.” “Monitoring your mental health helps you detect early signs of stress, anxiety, or burnout before they escalate into more serious issues. Just like physical health, mental well-being affects every aspect of life, including a person's productivity, relationships, and overall happiness.

“Regular self-check-ins, seeking support when needed, and adopting healthy coping mechanisms can help maintain emotional balance and resilience.

“Prioritizing mental health improves quality of life and helps individuals navigate challenges more effectively. If you have any pressing concerns, always speak to your physician. If you or someone you know is in danger, seek immediate medical attention at the nearest emergency room.”