How to Say "Bipolar Disorder" in Japanese

双極性障害

sōkyokuseishōgai[so̞ːkʲo̞kɯ̟̊se̞ː ɕo̞ːɡa̠i]

Bipolar disorder in Japanese is 双極性障害 (sōkyokuseishōgai).

双極性障害 is a psychiatric diagnostic category used to refer to bipolar disorder.

Meaning: psychiatric diagnostic category (noun)

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

While 双極性障害 is the formal medical term, the older term 躁うつ病 is still frequently used in casual conversation or by older generations.

sōkyokuseishōgai

The kanji 双 in 双極性障害 is the same character used in 双子 meaning 'twins', emphasizing the duality of the disorder.
In Japan, discussing 双極性障害 often involves the concept of 心の病 or 'sickness of the heart', as the word for 'heart' 心 also means 'mind'.
The word 障害 in 双極性障害 can translate to 'handicap' or 'obstacle', but in modern Japanese medical contexts, it is used to neutralize the stigma associated with 'disease' or 'illness'.

彼は双極性障害と診断されました。
Kare wa sōkyokusei shōgai to shindan saremashita.
He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
双極性障害の治療には薬が重要です。
Sōkyokusei shōgai no chiryō ni wa kusuri ga jūyō desu.
Medication is important for the treatment of bipolar disorder.
双極性障害についてもっと勉強したいです。
Sōkyokusei shōgai ni tsuite motto benkyō shitai desu.
I want to study more about bipolar disorder.

Two friends are talking about a medical textbook in a cafe.

美咲 Misaki

この本は双極性障害について詳しく書いてあるね。
Kono hon wa sōkyokusei shōgai ni tsuite kuwashiku kaite aru ne.
This book describes bipolar disorder in detail, doesn't it?
陽太 Yota

うん、とても役に立つ内容だと思うよ。
Un, totemo yaku ni tatsu naiyō da to omou yo.
Yeah, I think the content is very useful.
美咲 Misaki

陽太さんは、この専門用語は知っていた？
Yōta-san wa, kono senmon yōgo wa shitte ita?
Yota, did you know this technical term?
陽太 Yota

少しだけ聞いたことがあるよ。
Sukoshi dake kiita koto ga aru yo.
I've heard of it just a little bit.

Sources

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