Bipolar Disorder

Question 1

How long does elevated mood need to last to qualify as a manic episode?

Answer 1

At lease one week

Question 2

Would you say BDI or BDII is the more complex or difficult?

Answer 2

Not sure about more difficult, but a major 2019 study of over 8,700 individuals concluded that BDII is more complex… and not simpler a milder version of BDI

Question 3

What did Judd (2002) find about BD-I when assessing 13 year follow up?

Answer 3

About half where asymptomatic

About a third were depressive

About 10% were manic

About 5 % were mixed

Question 4

What did Judd (2002) find about BD-II when assessing 13 year follow up?

Answer 4

About half were asymptomatic

About half were depressed

Tiny amounts were hypomanic and mixed

Question 5

TRUE or FALSE, BD affects males and females the same

Answer 5

TRUE

Question 6

TRUE or FALSE, BD is more common in high IQ people

Answer 6

TRUE

Question 7

What are the THREE biological factors relevant to BD aetiology and course?

Answer 7

1. Chronic inflammation
2. Sleep disturbances
3. Telemere shortening

Question 8

TRUE or FALSE, psychological and trauma are implicated in the aetiology of BD

Answer 8

TRUE

Question 9

What is the typical onset age of BD, and what is the typical treatment delay?

Answer 9

Onset: 15-19

Treatment delay: 12.5 years

Question 10

What’s the THREE criteria for a mixed episode?

Answer 10

Manic + depressive episode…

1. nearly every day for at least one week
2. functional impairment
3. not caused by substance or medical condition

Question 11

What is a key risk during mixed episodes?

Answer 11

Massively higher suicide risk - attempts increase 120-fold

Question 12

What’s the quote he really likes from Prof Michael Berk

Answer 12

“Bipolar disorder isn’t a disorder of mood. It’s a disorder of energy regulation”

Question 13

What are the THREE things we need more research on wrt to psychological interventions for BD? (According to Tremain & Murray 2024)

Answer 13

1. Improving access to treatment
2. Moderators of treatment effect (who might benefit most and when)
3. Mechanisms of change

Question 14

Of the schemas that are associated with depression, which one was more associated with bipolar rather than unipolar?

Answer 14

Approval seeking

Question 15

What trait factors did Yang et al (2021) identify were predicts of DB mood symptoms/episodes

Answer 15

1. self esteem
2. dysfunctional beliefs (accomplishment and others’ approval)

Question 16

What do we expect about self compassion in BD patients, and why is it theorised to work

Answer 16

Self compassion is substantially lower in BD, and it can be targeted to counteract maladaptive perfectionism

Question 17

What are the FIVE benefits of CBT formulation in with this population?

Answer 17

Help understands relationship between

1. life history
2. schemas
3. symptomology
4. relapse risks

And

5. can clarify focus on intervention

Question 18

What’s the thing about strengths

Answer 18

Gotta focus on them as much as the clinical diagnosis

Question 19

When should you focus on the damage limitation work for mania?

Answer 19

While the client is euthymic, not manic

Question 20

What is the current response rate of BD clients to mood stabilising drugs?

Answer 20

Around 50%

Question 21

What are the five positive psychological traits that BD is associated with?

Answer 21

1. spirituality
2. empathy
3. creativity
4. realism
5. resilience

Question 22

What are McNeil’s four take home messages?

Answer 22

1. psychosocial factors play a significant role in ONSET and MAINTENANCE
2. Engagement can be challenging
3. A) Focus on modifying unhelpful underlying cognitions & behaviour
   B) Encourage good sleep, exercise & diet
4. We can make a difference with this group