Psychosocial interventions for bipolar disorder are effective when used as an adjunct to psychopharmacology, and mental health nurses are well placed to integrate them into practice
- Professional Development and Allied Health Care, University of Chester, Chester, UK
- Correspondence to Maureen Deacon
Warrington Campus, Crab Lane, Warrington, Cheshire WA2 ODB, UK; m.deacon{at}chester.ac.uk
Bipolar disorder severely impairs quality of life
People diagnosed with bipolar disorder (manic-depression) experience a varied illness ‘career’ in terms of its level of impact on their quality of life but it is known to have severely disabling effects, including higher rates of mortality than non-sufferers. It has a lifetime prevalence of 4%. Women are more likely than men to experience its most acute effects, including, for example, rapid mood cycling.1
Bipolar disorder is recurring, therefore long-term treatment and care is necessary. UK NICE …
