The relationship between social media and bipolar disorder (BD) is real, but it’s notably different in character from the ADHD connection. Here’s how:
The nature of the link is different
With ADHD, the evidence points toward social media causing or worsening symptoms. With bipolar disorder, the relationship is more bidirectional and nuanced — social media both reflects and influences mood states, but there’s less evidence it triggers the disorder itself.
In a survey of people with bipolar disorder, 41% reported that changes in their technology use served as warning signs of oncoming manic or depressive episodes — increased use was a common warning sign of mania, while detachment from social media was a common sign of depression.  So social media behavior can actually serve as a symptom tracker rather than purely a cause.
Social media can worsen existing BD
The relationship between bipolar disorder and social media is complex with both positive and negative aspects. People sharing only highlights on social media can exacerbate depressive episodes, and using social media for validation and affirmation lowers self-esteem and creates an emotional need for virtual approval. 
Research found that depressive symptoms strongly predict loneliness and reduced life satisfaction in people with BD, and that associations between social media use and wellbeing appear bidirectional  — meaning the disorder shapes how people use social media, and that use in turn shapes their symptoms.
Stigma on social media is a specific concern
A study of bipolar disorder-related posts on Twitter found that stigmatizing messages about bipolar disorder were actually more common than stigmatizing messages about other mental health conditions — and such messages can negatively affect self-esteem, increase anxiety or depression, and lower quality of life. 
Misinformation is a major problem
A 2023 study of 500 Instagram posts with bipolar-related hashtags found that many contained irrelevant, incomplete, or inaccurate information, with fewer than 5% coming from medical professionals. 
But social media also has upsides for BD
Unlike the ADHD story, the bipolar research highlights genuine benefits. Social media provides a space to share and find information about the condition, connect with others who have it, and build social support communities.  For a condition marked by social isolation during depressive episodes, this can be genuinely valuable.
The bottom line contrast: The ADHD-social media link is cleaner — heavy use appears to drive attention symptoms, particularly in kids. The bipolar-social media link is more of a two-way street: social media can amplify mood episodes and expose people to harmful stigma, but it also reflects the disorder (useful for self-monitoring) and can provide community support that’s hard to find elsewhere.