Catching the Storm Before It Breaks: Advancing Early Diagnosis and Intervention in Bipolar Disorder

In recent years, growing attention has been directed toward the early diagnosis and intervention of bipolar disorder (BD), driven by the recognition that timely clinical action may significantly alter the trajectory of the illness. Early identification of individuals at risk, as well as intervention during prodromal or subthreshold phases, offers the potential to delay onset, reduce episode severity, improve long-term outcomes, and possibly prevent the full manifestation of the disorder. This narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current literature on the early stages of BD, including clinical high-risk states, neurobiological and cognitive markers, and psychosocial indicators. It also explores the latest research findings and their implications for clinical practice, highlighting the importance of integrated approaches that combine biomarker discovery, risk stratification models, and youth-focused mental health services. Finally, the review discusses the ethical and practical challenges of early intervention and underscores the need for further longitudinal studies and personalized preventive strategies.