Definition
A mental health condition involving recurring episodes of significantly elevated mood and energy (mania or hypomania) alternating with episodes of depression. It is one of the specifically disqualifying psychiatric conditions listed under FAA medical certification standards, requiring special review and, in limited cases, a special issuance authorization to fly.
Plain English
A medical condition where a person swings between periods of unusually high energy or mood and periods of deep low mood. The FAA treats it as a serious condition that normally prevents a pilot from holding a medical certificate without special review.
Context Anchor
Seen when reviewing FAA medical certificate requirements and health conditions that must be reported or evaluated before a pilot can be medically certified.
Derivation
From Latin bi- meaning 'two' and polus meaning 'pole' or 'end point.' The name reflects the two opposite extremes of mood — the high pole and the low pole — that define the condition.
Why Pilots Care
Applicants must report any history of bipolar disorder; the FAA requires a full psychological evaluation and the condition usually blocks issuance of a medical certificate without special review and ongoing monitoring.
Grounding Statement
In aviation medical use, bipolar disorder is treated as important because safe flying depends on steady judgment, attention, and decision-making.
Intuition Check
Bipolar disorder does not mean ordinary moodiness or having a bad day. It means a recognized medical condition with mood and energy changes strong enough to matter for health and safety.
Example Sentence 1
An applicant with a history of bipolar disorder must disclose the diagnosis on FAA Form 8500-8 when applying for a medical certificate.
Example Sentence 2
After a diagnosis of bipolar disorder the pilot applied for a special issuance medical certificate with supporting documentation from a psychiatrist.