Subscribe to get Updates
Healthy Legacy
  • Home
  • Mind Memory Focus
  • Exercise & Fitness
  • Longevity & Anti Aging
  • Nutrition & Supplements
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Mind Memory Focus
  • Exercise & Fitness
  • Longevity & Anti Aging
  • Nutrition & Supplements
No Result
View All Result
Healthy Legacy
No Result
View All Result

Bipolar: Experts urge better initial care

admin by admin
September 9, 2020
in Mind Memory Focus
0
Bipolar: Experts urge better initial care
A new article by bipolar disorder experts reveals that people with this diagnosis often do not receive appropriate early care. Sufficient research around treatments for bipolar disorder is also lacking, and the specialists call for better practice and more in-depth studies to improve people’s quality of life.
Many people do not receive appropriate early care for bipolar disorder.

A new article in The Lancet Psychiatry has assessed existing evidence and argues that many people with bipolar disorder have a poor quality of life because they did not receive appropriate care at the right time.

The argument belongs to a team of specialists from several academic institutions:

  • the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London in the United Kingdom
  • Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health in Parkville, Australia
  • the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada
  • the Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health at the University of Melbourne, also in Parkville, Australia

Bipolar disorder affects around 60 million people around the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

In the United States alone, about 2.8% of all adults held a diagnosis of bipolar disorder in the past year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

People with bipolar disorder can experience drastic mood shifts called periods of mania (dramatic states of “high”) and depression (equally intense “lows”).

For a person to receive a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, they must have experienced at least one manic episode. Mania might make a person feel as though they are on top of the world and capable of anything, which can fuel risk taking behavior.

However, many do not receive a diagnosis when their symptoms first begin to manifest, and they do not receive appropriate care following an initial manic episode.

‘We need long-term studies’

In their “Personal View” article, the specialists looked at data concerning the prevalence and health burden of bipolar disorder, as well as how it usually progresses, how healthcare providers typically treat it, and what international guidelines recommend.

They found that people with bipolar disorder have “a 50 times greater risk of self-harm” than those without the condition. They also have “at least a 12 times increased suicide risk,” according to the article.

The authors also note that “[d]ata from the WHO Global Burden of Disease study ranked bipolar disorder as the fourth leading cause of disability-adjusted life-years in people aged 10–24 years.”

They also cite studies that found that about half of people with bipolar disorder develop symptoms before the age of 21. However, other evidence shows that it can take almost 6 years after the first symptoms set in for a doctor to diagnose the condition and suggest treatment options.

In their article, the specialists show that people having their first manic episode do not receive the treatment they need. They also note that there is insufficient research regarding the appropriate intervention for first-time manic episodes, which, in turn, leads to incomplete care guidelines.

“Bipolar [disorder] can have serious effects on the health of a young person, their family, and society in general,” explains first author Sameer Jauhar, Ph.D.

“By identifying people who have had a first episode, and offering them appropriate treatment at an early stage,” he adds, “we can help them get on with their lives and prevent relapses.”

“As a consultant psychiatrist,” says Jauhar, “this is something I see again and again. People who are identified early and get effective treatment quickly are able to avoid further episodes and achieve extraordinary things, while others who the system doesn’t serve so well can get stuck for years.”

“Another really important factor is research — we need long-term studies to help guide future treatments and make sure we keep people well in the longer-term.”

Sameer Jauhar, Ph.D.

The specialists attach to their article the account of a man with bipolar disorder who reports not receiving the treatment he needed for early hypomania. In the account, the man describes how this affected his life. His case illustrates the importance of receiving an early diagnosis and treatment.

“My struggles with mental health began at age 14 when I started to experience some symptoms of depression,” he says. “However, it was when I started to develop episodes of hypomania at 16 that things really began getting out of hand.”

“These episodes came as a shock to everyone around me. […] I wasn’t sleeping, had a constant need to pace, and was very frustrated. My behavior began to alienate everyone around me. Further episodes followed and I began engaging in risky behavior.”

“The doctors failed to diagnose me properly at this point,” he adds, “because they failed to take a proper history of my mental health.”

It was only when doctors finally identified and provided the care he needed that his productivity and quality of life improved.

“All in all, it took 4 years from my first symptoms to the point when I started getting the treatment I really needed. Now, 3 years later, I am managing to study and work at the same time and am able to enjoy my life,” he concludes.

Tags: Bipolar
Advertisement Banner
Previous Post

A Tasty Way to Enjoy More Carrots

Next Post

What causes irritability?

admin

admin

Next Post
What causes irritability?

What causes irritability?

Recommended

Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D Deficiency

1 year ago
The Power of Self-Love

The Power of Self-Love

7 months ago

Don't Miss

What Are the Benefits of Eating Cantaloupe? 10 Benefits

What Are the Benefits of Eating Cantaloupe? 10 Benefits

January 22, 2021
How Would You Know If a Person Has Scurvy?

How Would You Know If a Person Has Scurvy?

January 22, 2021
AHA News: Trendy Microgreens Offer Flavor You Can Grow at Home

AHA News: Trendy Microgreens Offer Flavor You Can Grow at Home

January 13, 2021
AHA News: To Battle Food Inequity, a Nonprofit Helps Neighbors Eat Healthy

AHA News: To Battle Food Inequity, a Nonprofit Helps Neighbors Eat Healthy

January 7, 2021
Healthy Legacy

Follow us

Recent News

What Are the Benefits of Eating Cantaloupe? 10 Benefits

What Are the Benefits of Eating Cantaloupe? 10 Benefits

January 22, 2021
How Would You Know If a Person Has Scurvy?

How Would You Know If a Person Has Scurvy?

January 22, 2021

Categories

  • Beauty
  • disease
  • Exercise & Fitness
  • immunity
  • Longevity & Anti Aging
  • Mind Memory Focus
  • Nature
  • Nutrition & Supplements
  • Seniors
  • Spices
  • Uncategorized

Tags

Acid Reflux / GERD ADHD / ADD Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs Alzheimer's / Dementia Anxiety / Stress Bipolar Cancer / Oncology Cardiovascular / Cardiology Cholesterol Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine COPD Dentistry Depression Dermatology Diabetes Diabetes Type 2 Eating Disorders Eye Health / Blindness GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology Heart Disease Immune System / Vaccines Men's Health Mental Health Multiple Sclerosis Neurology / Neuroscience Nutrition / Diet Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness Osteoarthritis Osteoporosis Parkinson's Disease Pharmacy / Pharmacist Psychology / Psychiatry Respiratory Rheumatoid Arthritis Schizophrenia Seniors / Aging Sexual Health / STDs Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia Sports Medicine / Fitness Stroke Urinary Tract Infection Urology / Nephrology Vegan / Vegetarian Veterinary Women's Health / Gynecology
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

© 2018 Healthy Legacy

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Mind Memory Focus
  • Exercise & Fitness
  • Longevity & Anti Aging
  • Nutrition & Supplements

© 2018 Healthy Legacy