New Tools Launched To Help Fight Stigma Associated With Mental Illness

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Results from a new global survey on bipolar disorder, released today at
the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress, indicate that
both patients and healthcare professionals face significant challenges
in managing bipolar disorder. At least 90% of patients surveyed
reported that the illness is difficult to understand and to live with
due to the episodic symptoms. Among physicians surveyed, more than half
found it challenging to explain the nature of the bipolar disorder to
their patients and in interpreting patients' description of symptoms.


The survey, which included responses from 2688 patients with bipolar
disorder and 643 health professionals, also revealed that there are
barriers to obtaining an accurate diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
Approximately 40% of patients and health professionals reported that it
can take at take at least four years after the first onset of symptoms
before bipolar disorder is diagnosed. Once the diagnosis is in place,
25% of patients surveyed reported trying at least nine different
medications before they found a suitable one.