Overview
Bipolar disorder is common and has a major impact on individuals, families and society. One of the most pressing issues for people with bipolar disorder is the long delay that many experience before diagnosis (at least 9.5 years, according to the recent Bipolar Commission). The reasons for this delay are complex but can be addressed with coordinated actions at multiple levels, from public awareness campaigns to primary care and secondary/specialist care services.
Diagnosis is also important because it allows for early treatment with the correct medications, preventing relapse and improving quality of life. But clearly medications are only part of the solution – there are many evidence-based non-medication approaches that are useful but often under-used in practice, including (but not limited to) psychoeducation, cognitive therapies and a focus on optimising rhythms of rest and activity (chronotherapies).
There are also emerging metabolic treatments such as the ketogenic diet to consider. This session will address all of the areas above and will conclude with a panel discussion and Question and Answer session for all attendees.
Speakers
Chair: Dr Kathleen Merikangas, National Institute of Mental Health, Washington and Professor Ian Jones, Congress Co-Chair
Simon Kitchen, Bipolar UK
Eve Cavanagh, Bipolar UK
Professor Allan Young, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London
Professor Daniel Smith, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
