What does the Bible say about
bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that involves both extreme highs and lows over a sustained period. Going from one emotional state to the opposite gives it the name bi-polar. The highs are called the ‘manic episode,’ while the lows are called the ‘depressive episode.’ Oftentimes you’ll hear the terms bi-polar and manic-depressive used interchangeably to refer to the same illness.

What are the symptoms?
Keep in mind that these symptoms are not isolated. In other words, just because someone has more energy and a decreased need for sleep doesn’t necessarily mean they are suffering through a manic episode. Instead, they will have at least three of these symptoms at the same time.

A manic episode is a period of at least one week when a person is extremely high-spirited or irritable most of the day for most days, possesses more energy than usual, and experiences at least three of the following changes in behavior:

  • Decreased need for sleep (e.g., feeling energetic despite significantly less sleep than usual

  • Grandiose/inflated thoughts of self

  • Increased or faster speech

  • Uncontrollable racing thoughts or quickly changing ideas or topics when speaking.

  • Distractibility

  • Increased activity, erratic, unpredictable behavior (e.g., restlessness, working on several projects at once)

  • Increased risky behavior (e.g., reckless driving, spending sprees)

A major depressive episode is a period of at least two weeks in which a person has at least five of the following symptoms (including at least one of the first two symptoms):

  • Intense sadness or despair

  • Loss of interest in activities the person once enjoyed.

  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

  • Fatigue

  • Increased or decreased sleep.

  • Increased or decreased appetite.

  • Restlessness (e.g., pacing) or slowed speech or movement.

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Frequent thoughts of death or suicide

There is at least one person in the Bible whom most scholars and doctors diagnose as having bi-polar disorder—King Saul.


King Saul

Saul is one of the most complex figures in Scripture. He was Israel's first king, but lost the throne to a young shepherd named David. Scholars debate the length of his reign (approximately 40 years), but there's no doubt about how he spent his last four to seven years: chasing David across the Judean countryside (1 Sam.20-31). Regarding his mental state, he demonstrates both manic and depressive symptoms.

His manic episodes were characterized by:

  • Grandiose/inflated thoughts of self. After the prophet Samuel was delayed in coming, Saul presumed upon himself the priestly role of offering sacrifices. “He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. So, he said, ‘Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings’ (1Sam.13:8-9). This inflated view of himself cost him the kingdom. “’You have done a foolish thing,’ Samuel said. ‘You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time’ (v.13). Later, he foolishly bound his troops to a self-centered oath. “Now the Israelites were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, “Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!” So, none of the troops tasted food” (1Sam.14:24) and was about to kill his own son Jonathan for breaking it (v.44). Later, he erected a monument to himself (15:12). All of these examples demonstrate grandiose thoughts (“I’m important enough to offer sacrifices,” “I’m more important than my famished troops,” and then eventually, “I deserve to have a monument.”) and an inflated view of himself that are characteristic of mania.

  • Increased activity, erratic, unpredictable behavior. Saul became known for his seemingly unpredictable behavior. Once when prophesying, he stripped off his clothes and lay naked on the ground (1Sam,19:23-24). We should note that there were other prophets prophesying alongside of Saul, but he’s the only one recorded for doing so while naked. He is remembered perhaps most of all for his sudden outbursts of anger and dangerous behavior towards David (1Sam.18:10-11) and his paranoid pursuit of David, which took him across the Judean countryside. Instead of ruling as king, he declared, “I will track him down among all the clans of Judah” (1Sam.23:23). Eventually, his paranoia led him to disguise himself in order to inquire of a medium about the spirit of Samuel, who had already died—even though he had forbidden the use of mediums (28:3-15). Saul demonstrated erratic behavior unbecoming to his position that was fueled by jealously, fear, and paranoia.

  • Increased risky behavior. He became obsessed with David, frequently going on a homicidal rage to kill him. In fact, 1 Samuel informs us that he made ten attempts to kill David. “While David was playing the lyre, Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear” (1Sam.19:9-10). Saul’s obsession wasn’t merely paranoia, it also proved to be deadly. He slaughtered those he suspected of siding with David, killing a priestly family, and a whole town. Saul said, “’You will surely die, Ahimelek, you and your whole family.’ Then the king ordered the guards at his side: “Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because they too have sided with David” (1Sam.22:16-17). “That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. He also put to the sword Nob, the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep” (vv.18-19). Even his son Jonathan wasn’t immune, “Saul’s anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse” (1Sam.20:30)!

    It is a common trait of persons with bipolar disorder to fixate on an event or person. When this fixation occurs, they can begin to trace their current situation or problem to that event or person. This is what we see in King Saul. We also see in this kind of behavior what is known as disruptive mood dysregulation, which is a type of depression (see below) characterized by recurring temper outbursts. This person demonstrates verbal and behavioral aggression towards others that are grossly out of proportion to the situation. For instance, while David is merely playing music for the king, Saul lashes out to physically attack him unprovoked.

His depressive episodes are evident:

  • Intense sadness or despair. King Saul’s internal torment was most likely severe depression. “Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better’… Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.” (1Sam.16:15-16, 23; 28:20)

  • Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt. The combined effect of Saul’s missteps and David’s rise to prominence created an overwhelming feeling of worthlessness and guilt. This is epitomized in the dramatic scene when Samuel declares that God will rip the kingdom from Saul. He begs and pleads with the prophet, even grasping the hem of his robe until it tears. “Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me” (1Sam.15:24-31).

  • Restlessness (e.g., pacing) or slowed speech or movement. Again, King Saul’s restlessness showed in his paranoid pursuit of David. “Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, and he said, “God has delivered him into my hands, for David has imprisoned himself by entering a town with gates and bars.” And Saul called up all his forces for battle, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men” (1Sam23:7-8). “After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, ‘David is in the Desert of En Gedi.’ So Saul took three thousand able young men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats” (24:1-2).

  • Suicide. King Saul’s life ended tragically when he committed suicide on the battlefield. “Saul took his own sword and fell on it” (1Sam31:4).