 |
|
Studies find stable sleep patterns and regular routines may improve outcomes in bipolar disorder
December 10, 2007Bipolar disorder, commonly known as manic-depressive disorder, is highly influenced by the circadian system - the body's internal clock - and a specific kind of psychotherapy may help decrease irregularities in the circadian system that can trigger key symptoms of bipolar disorder, according to a study presented today at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP) annual meeting. The results are important because they show for the first time that psychotherapy which focuses on practical lifestyle changes can ease the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Every year nearly six million American adults suffer from bipolar disorder, a brain disorder which causes severe shifts in mood, energy, and ability to function, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and wake time can help balance the circadian system, which in turn can help people avoid nighttime sleeplessness or daytime exhaustion, which can increase the risk of new episodes of mania or depression. "Having already found that disruption in daily routines can make individuals with bipolar disorder vulnerable to new episodes of illness, we have now learned that working with patients to achieve and maintain regular social rhythms - including regular sleep patterns and adequate physical activity - will help to protect them against episodes of mania or depression," says Ellen Frank, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and professor of psychiatry and psychology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
People with bipolar disorder tend to have extremely sensitive circadian systems, which makes it much more difficult for them to recover from disruptions in sleep and routine. In contrast, people without bipolar disorder generally recover fairly quickly if their systems are thrown off by a change in routine or loss of sleep and might even be temporarily energized by these alterations.
Frank studied 175 adult patients with bipolar disorder and compared the effects of two approaches when combined with a common medical treatment for bipolar disorder, usually lithium carbonate: the first was interpersonal and social rhythm therapy, in which patients use a self-monitoring instrument to record and monitor the regularity of their daily routines-for example, their sleep patterns, meal times and physical activity. The second approach involved an intensive clinical management paradigm focusing just on patients' mood symptoms and management of medication side effects.
The study found that patients who participated in interpersonal and social rhythm therapy in the earlier phases of the trial were able to go longer without a new episode of mania or depression than those who received clinical management.
Frank notes that many study participants had other medical and psychiatric conditions that also had important effects on their treatment outcomes. She adds that her study was conducted in an academic environment using highly trained therapists, so results from other settings might be different.
In a related study presented at the meeting, researchers studying circadian rhythms in mice found that the genes that regulate these rhythms also control the activity of neurons in the brain that utilize dopamine, a neurotransmitter implicated in motivation and emotion. Mice that are lacking some of the key circadian genes closely resemble bipolar patients in the manic state.
Lead researcher Colleen McClung, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwest Medical Center, says these mice are the most well characterized animal models of human mania that have been described. Symptoms of mania include increased energy, activity, and restlessness; excessively good, euphoric mood; and poor judgment.
While there has long been an association between circadian rhythms and bipolar disorder, no studies have examined whether these rhythmic disruptions contribute to the symptoms associated with bipolar disorder. McClung says the findings of this study bring researchers one small step closer to discovering why bipolar disorder occurs at all, even though the study was done in mice, not humans, and that many more studies will be needed to discover a cure.
American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
Frank studied 175 adult patients with bipolar disorder and compared the effects of two approaches when combined with a common medical treatment for bipolar disorder, usually lithium carbonate: the first was interpersonal and social rhythm therapy, in which patients use a self-monitoring instrument to record and monitor the regularity of their daily routines-for example, their sleep patterns, meal times and physical activity. The second approach involved an intensive clinical management paradigm focusing just on patients' mood symptoms and management of medication side effects.
The study found that patients who participated in interpersonal and social rhythm therapy in the earlier phases of the trial were able to go longer without a new episode of mania or depression than those who received clinical management.
Frank notes that many study participants had other medical and psychiatric conditions that also had important effects on their treatment outcomes. She adds that her study was conducted in an academic environment using highly trained therapists, so results from other settings might be different.
In a related study presented at the meeting, researchers studying circadian rhythms in mice found that the genes that regulate these rhythms also control the activity of neurons in the brain that utilize dopamine, a neurotransmitter implicated in motivation and emotion. Mice that are lacking some of the key circadian genes closely resemble bipolar patients in the manic state.
Lead researcher Colleen McClung, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwest Medical Center, says these mice are the most well characterized animal models of human mania that have been described. Symptoms of mania include increased energy, activity, and restlessness; excessively good, euphoric mood; and poor judgment.
While there has long been an association between circadian rhythms and bipolar disorder, no studies have examined whether these rhythmic disruptions contribute to the symptoms associated with bipolar disorder. McClung says the findings of this study bring researchers one small step closer to discovering why bipolar disorder occurs at all, even though the study was done in mice, not humans, and that many more studies will be needed to discover a cure.
American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
Bipolar Disorder Current Events and Bipolar Disorder News RSSAutism Speaks' genetic resource exchange, tissue program support findings published in Nature
Autism Speaks' Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) and the Autism Tissue Program (ATP) continue to play an integral role in continuing genetic research and new findings in the complex autism inheritance and causation puzzle.
UNC study pinpoints gene controlling number of brain cells
In populating the growing brain, neural stem cells must strike a delicate balance between two key processes - proliferation, in which the cells multiply to provide plenty of starting materials - and differentiation, in which those materials evolve into functioning neurons.
Young Adults May Outgrow Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, or manic-depression, causes severe and unusual shifts in mood and energy, affecting a person's ability to perform everyday tasks. With symptoms often starting in early adulthood, bipolar disorder has been thought of traditionally as a lifelong disorder.
Mad Genius: Study Suggests Link Between Psychosis and Creativity
Vincent van Gogh cut off his ear. Sylvia Plath stuck her head in the oven. History teems with examples of great artists acting in very peculiar ways. Were these artists simply mad or brilliant? According to new research reported in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, maybe both.
Sleep patterns in children and teenagers could indicate risk for depression, researcher finds
Sleep patterns can help predict which adolescents might be at greatest risk for developing depression, a researcher at UT Southwestern Medical Center has found in a five-year study.
Sleep patterns in children and teenagers could indicate risk for depression, researcher finds
Sleep patterns can help predict which adolescents might be at greatest risk for developing depression, a researcher at UT Southwestern Medical Center has found in a five-year study.
Invisible Ink? What Rorschach Tests Really Tell Us
One of the most well-known psychological tools is the Rorschach Inkblot Test. A viewer looks at ten inkblots, one at a time, and describes what they see.
If bipolar disorder is over-diagnosed, what are the actual diagnoses?
A year ago, a study by Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University researchers reported that fewer than half the patients previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder received an actual diagnosis of bipolar disorder after using a comprehensive, psychiatric diagnostic interview tool --the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID).
Anti-epilepsy drug risk on cognitive function for unborn children
Interim results of a study being conducted by scientists at the University of Liverpool suggest that children aged three years and younger, who are born to women taking the anti-epileptic drug sodium valproate whilst pregnant, are likely to have an IQ of six to nine points lower than average.
Irritability should be considered when diagnosing bipolar disorder in children
A new study from Bradley Hospital and The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, as well as two other institutions, adds to mounting evidence that clinicians consider irritability as a symptom when diagnosing pediatric bipolar disorder.
More Bipolar Disorder Current Events and Bipolar Disorder News Articles
 |
The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide: What You and Your Family Need to Know by David J. Miklowitz (Author) Thanks to sharper diagnosis and better medicine, the future is brighter for people with bipolar disorder than in past generations. But if you or someone you love is struggling with the frantic highs and crushing lows of this illness, there are still many hurdles to surmount at home, at work, and in daily life. *How can you learn to distinguish between the early warning signs of mood swings and the normal ups and downs of life? *What medications are available, and what are their side effects? *What should you do when you find yourself escalating into mania or descending into depression? *How can you get the help and support you need from family members and friends? *How can you tell your coworkers about your illness without endangering your career? In this... |
 |
Break the Bipolar Cycle: A Day-by-Day Guide to Living with Bipolar Disorder by Elizabeth Brondolo (Author), Xavier Amador (Author) Take control of your symptoms--and take charge of your life If you're dealing with bipolar disorder, you already know that it’s more than a cycle of “ups” and “downs.” You may also have difficulty with depression and irritability, as well as problems with weight gain, memory, and fatigue. Dealing with these day-to-day problems can sometimes seem like too much to bear. Drawing on the latest research in bipolar disorder, stress, and health, this step-by-step guide offers a complete selection of livable, workable solutions to manage bipolar disorder and helps you: Identify your symptoms Explore your treatment options Stabilize your moods Sharpen your mind Achieve your goals This isn't a one-size-fits-all guide. It's a uniquely personal... |
 |
Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for Patients and Families (2nd Edition) by Francis Mark Mondimore MD (Author) Bipolar disorder can be devastating. It can disrupt relationships and careers, it can wreak havoc on family life, and, when not properly treated, it can be fatal. Since 1999 this compassionate and comprehensive guide has helped tens of thousands of people cope with this complex disease. This, the second edition of Bipolar Disorder, is thoroughly updated and discusses promising new options for diagnosis and treatment along with new information on the disease's genetic components. Bipolar disorder is difficult to diagnose. Dr. Mondimore explains how symptoms fluctuate in persons with seasonal affective disorder, how they can lead to a mistaken diagnosis of attention deficit--hyperactivity disorder in children, and how they may be made worse by alcohol or drug addiction. The... |
 |
Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder by Julie A. Fast (Author), John D. Preston Psy D ABPP (Author) When a person loves someone with bipolar disorder, life can be very stressful. From medication troubles to a partner's mood swings the demands on a partner can be intense. Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder takes a unique and practical approach to these issues. Written by an author who has bipolar disorder (and who lived with a partner who also has bipolar disorder) and a coauthor with over ten books on the topic of mental illness, the book offers specific, practical and realistic tips on how a couple can work together as a team to create a treatment plan that teaches them to live with the illness while still maintaining a loving and joyful relationship. (Though this book is written for couples, friends and family members can use the techniques in the book as well.) ... |
 |
Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder: A 4-Step Plan for You and Your Loved Ones to Manage the Illness and Create Lasting Stability by Julie A Fast (Author), John Preston (Author) MANAGE YOUR MOODS. IDENTIFY YOUR TRIGGERS. RECLAIM YOUR LIFE. Many people diagnosed with bipolar disorder are sent home with the name of a doctor and prescription drugs. But few are able to manage their often out-of-control emotions with medication alone. Written by Julie A. Fast, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age thirty-one, and bipolar disorder specialist John Preston, PsyD, TAKE CHARGE OF BIPOLAR DISORDER offers a unique, personalized approach that teaches people with bipolar disorder and their loved ones to manage the illness and achieve daily stability. Fast and Preston's groundbreaking program combines medication and supplements, lifestyle changes, behavior modifications, and other indispensable management tools. Readers will learn how to: Understand... |
 |
Bipolar Disorder for Dummies by Candida Fink (Author), Joe Kraynak (Author) Bipolar Disorder affects many more people than just the 2.5 million Americans who suffer from the disease. Like depression and other serious illnesses, bipolar disorder also affects spouses, partners, family members, friends and coworkers. And, according to the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation, 15% of children diagnosed with ADHD may actually be suffering from early-onset of Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar Disorder For Dummies reveals some of the causes and consequences of bipolar disorder, let you in on some crisis survival strategies, and describe ways that friends and family members can support loved ones who have the disease. The book includes an overview of the causes and symptoms of bipolar disorder, explains step-by-step how to obtain an accurate diagnosis, discusses the... |
 |
Bipolar Disorder: The Ultimate Guide by Sarah Owen (Author), Amanda Saunders (Author) Has someone close to you been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder? Have you been diagnosed yourself? If so, then this is the book for you. With a helpful question and answer format, this invaluable guide reveals everything about the condition, and shows how to keep it firmly under control. From how to deal with a manic episode to coping with the stigma often associated with mental illness, this guide contains the very latest research surrounding the illness that affects one in fifty of us. Including numerous real-life case studies, helpful character summaries and a full list of support organizations, this accessible blend of advice and insight will inform and empower all those who live with the bewildering turbulence of bipolar disorder. |
 |
Sugar and Salt: My Life with Bipolar Disorder by Jane Thompson (Author) Sugar & Salt: My Life with Bipolar Disorder is the story of an ordinary person who lived with and ultimately overcame bipolar disorder (manic-depression.). She was not diagnosed until she was 37. She describes what it is like to be raised in a family overshadowed by the illness, and to try to fit in in school and to function at work with the undiagnosed disorder. The failure of a marriage and relationships are detailed, and she struggles to understand why her life is so different and so difficult, until she has a sudden revelation that something is wrong with her and that she needs help. Then comes the long fight to get treatment as she tries medication after medication after being misdiagnosed as psychotic. For five years she seeks knowledge and understanding of the disorder that makes... |
 |
Why Am I Still Depressed? Recognizing and Managing the Ups and Downs of Bipolar II and Soft Bipolar Disorder by Jim Phelps (Author) Tried everything but still not feeling better? If your depression keeps coming back or is even getting worse, then you may be suffering from bipolar II or “soft” bipolar disorder. Commonly misdiagnosed, these mood disorders are characterized by recurring bouts of depression along with anxiety, irritability, mood swings, sleep problems, or intrusive thoughts. Why Am I Still Depressed? shows you how to identify if you have a nonmanic form of bipolar disorder and how to work with your doctor to safely and effectively treat it. Author James R. Phelps, M.D., gives you the latest tools and knowledge so you can: Understand the Mood Spectrum, a powerful new tool for diagnosis Know all your treatment options, including... |
 |
Living with Bipolar Disorder When they are manic their thoughts race, they don't sleep and they do very risky things. Some times they hear voices. On this episode of American Family you'll learn how people live with Bipolar Disorder, also known as manic depression because of the mood swings from incredible highs to suicidal lows. This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |