How To Find The Latest Research On Bipolar Disorder
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that 4.4% of US adults will experience bipolar disorder at some point in their lives. For those living with this disorder, their loved ones, or others who are interested in learning more, finding the latest research on bipolar disorder can be essential to understanding its causes, key symptoms, and treatment options. Read on to learn the basics of bipolar disorder and to get tips on how to find the latest research on this mental illness.
What is bipolar disorder?
According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the term “bipolar disorders” refers to several mental health conditions that involve significant changes in emotional state that may affect an individual's mood, functioning, and energy levels. These changes are referred to as “mood episodes,” which can be categorized as depressive or manic/hypomanic. Depressive episodes usually involve an individual experiencing intense sadness and low energy, while manic or hypomanic episodes may lead to symptoms like heightened energy, less need for sleep, and impulsive behaviors.
Types of bipolar disorder
There are three primary types of bipolar disorder: bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, and cyclothymic disorder. Knowing which type of bipolar disorder you or a loved one is living with may help direct your search for recent studies on the topic.
Bipolar I disorder
Bipolar I disorder is characterized by the experience of manic episodes, during which a person may feel a decreased need for sleep, heightened distractibility, rapid speech, and restlessness and may engage in impulsive or risky behaviors. These symptoms typically accompany high energy and an extremely happy or irritable mood.
Friends, loved ones, and coworkers may notice these behaviors emerging in an individual or that the person experiencing mania is struggling to function as they typically do. If a manic episode becomes severe, individuals may also experience psychotic symptoms, such as delusions, hallucinations, and disordered thinking. These and other symptoms may cause a person to need hospitalization in certain cases.
In addition to manic episodes, some individuals with bipolar I disorder may experience major depressive episodes. These typically involve a loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed, feelings of sadness or guilt, changes in appetite, slowed movement or speech, difficulty concentrating, and fatigue.
Bipolar II disorder
Individuals with bipolar II disorder may experience hypomania instead of full manic episodes. Hypomania is a less severe form of mania, so these episodes may be less noticeable or have a less significant impact on daily functioning. A diagnosis of bipolar II disorder also requires an individual to experience at least one major depressive episode, which a bipolar I disorder diagnosis does not require.
Cyclothymic disorder
Individuals experiencing cyclothymic disorder may live with more frequent depressive and hypomanic symptoms, but these are typically less severe than those seen in bipolar I and II disorders. In most cases, symptoms must occur for a period of two years without meeting the criteria for a full depressive or hypomanic episode for a diagnosis of cyclothymic disorder to be considered.
Where to find the latest research on bipolar disorder
While different organizations vary in how often they update their research, the following are reputable sources that typically do so frequently:
Stanford Medicine
The Stanford University School of Medicine’s Bipolar and Depression Research Program, which is housed in their Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, is a clinical research program that focuses on bipolar disorder and depression. Their current studies page typically lists their most recent research related to these conditions.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
The NIMH provides a page titled “Science News About Bipolar Disorder,” which offers recent research and studies pertaining to this illness.
UCLA Health
UCLA Health, the healthcare system affiliated with the University of California, Los Angeles, provides health-related news on a variety of topics, including bipolar disorder. For example, they recently reported on one bipolar disorder study that looked to better understand the condition by tracking participant health over a period of five years.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NAMI publishes a variety of research and bipolar disorder-related news. For example, a 2023 webinar in NAMI’s Ask the Expert series featured Dr. Andrew Nierenberg discussing recent research and current data on bipolar disorder and its treatment.
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School’s website often posts studies and news relating to the school’s research findings. For example, a 2022 article discussed a recent study that may have identified one of the first, strong genetic risk factors for bipolar disorder.
Mental Health America (MHA)
A national mental health nonprofit, MHA shares recent research about a number of mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder.
Key treatment options for bipolar disorder
Which treatments an individual may pursue for symptoms of bipolar disorder vary depending on what type of bipolar disorder they are experiencing and what their doctor recommends. The UK National Health Service (NHS) lists several common bipolar disorder treatments, including various medications and types of therapy.
Medication
First, medication is a common component of bipolar disorder treatment. A doctor or psychiatrist may prescribe medications like the following for someone living with bipolar disorder:
- Anticonvulsant medications. Anticonvulsants may be used as short-term mania treatments and long-term mood stabilizers.
- Antipsychotic medications. Antipsychotic medications can help treat episodes of mania. These medications may be used as long-term mood stabilizers too, though they typically require regular health checks for long-term use.
- Lithium. One of the primary medications for bipolar disorder is lithium, which can be used as a long-term treatment for both depression and mania symptoms. Using this medication typically requires regular kidney and thyroid function checks as well as a blood test every three months.
Remember to speak with a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation is aimed at informing patients and their loved ones about a given mental illness or aspect of mental health, like bipolar disorder. This process may help individuals and their families better understand how symptoms manifest, what constitutes a manic or depressive episode, and how to seek treatment in times of crisis.
Family therapy
Family therapy, or family-focused therapy, involves an individual with bipolar disorder and their family attending therapy together to address the challenges both are facing. This can involve discussing coping techniques, ways to reduce recurrences, and tips for communicating more effectively about concerns related to the disorder.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for bipolar disorder
Research suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help address things like partial response to treatment and cognitive, social, and occupational loss of functionality in those with bipolar disorder. CBT typically involves identifying potentially harmful thought patterns and behaviors with a therapist and learning to replace them with healthier and more realistic ones.
Benefit from the latest research on bipolar disorder in online therapy
While therapy may be beneficial for those with bipolar disorder, in-person therapy may not be convenient for or available to everyone. In such cases, online therapy platforms like BetterHelp can be a helpful option to explore, as they allow you to meet with a licensed therapist from the comfort of home or anywhere you have an internet connection. Research suggests that online therapy can be beneficial for those with bipolar disorder—specifically for reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
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