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Recent Survey Provides Insights on Bipolar Disorder
A recently released national survey highlights insights from US-based adults living with bipolar I disorder (BD-I) about treatment experiences and living with a mental health condition.
In collaboration with the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), this survey was performed online by the Harris Poll in August 2021. A total of 305 participants met the inclusion criteria and were between the ages of 18 and 60, had taken BD-I medication in the year before the survey or at the time of the survey. Participants also were not managing or receiving treatment for schizophrenia at the time of the survey.
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The average participant was living with BD-I for approximately 16 years, while the average age of participants was 28.
“The perspectives shared through this survey by people living with bipolar I disorder underscore the need for effective medications and the importance of considering the unique needs and experiences of individuals living with this disease–whether physical, mental, or social–as people work with their health care providers to evaluate treatment options," Michael Pollock, chief executive officer of DBSA, shared in a press release.
According to the survey results, 81% of respondents shared that they feel no one understands what they are going through and 77% of respondents shared that living with BD-I causes feelings of loneliness and isolation.
When addressing their top concerns, 28% of participants said it was sleep quality, 28% said it was motivation, and 27% said it was frequency of depressive episodes and symptoms.
A total of 70% of participants agreed that finding the proper medication has been difficult, while 54% have tried at least 5 medications and 17% of participants have tried at least 10.
Side effects such as weight gain, anxiety, and drowsiness were reported, and a total of 93% of participants said they have experienced side effects under medication.
"This research reveals that respondents living with BD-I face a variety of challenges, from the symptoms of their disease to the side effects of medications, and many have tried numerous medications to treat the disorder," said Kathy Steinberg, Vice President of Research at The Harris Poll. "These data underscore the importance of efficacy and symptom relief to respondents with bipolar I disorder; and also that side effects of medication significantly impacted their lives and contributed to treatment decisions."
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