Syftet med studien var att undersöka hur bipolär sjukdom kan påverka en människas identitet. Tidigare forskning har föreslagit  att människor med bipolär sjukdom kan ha svårt att identifiera vem de verkligen är och att de kan ha en mindre utvecklad identitet. I denna kvalitativa studie genomfördes tio djupintervjuer som sedan kodades. En tematisk analys utfördes. Fyra teman identifierades: Uppfattning om identitet, acceptans, föräldraskap och sjukdomens påverkan på livet. En övervägande del av respondenterna uppgav att sjukdomen är en del av deras identitet, detta motsäger tidigare forskning. Acceptans uppges ske i olika steg och förenkla livet när sjukdomen väl är accepterad, forskning stöder detta fynd. Respondenterna beskriver en rädsla att sjukdomen ska påverka föräldraskap eller att sjukdomen redan har påverkat föräldraskapet. Flera respondenter uppger att sjukdomen har lett till ett misslyckat föräldraskap vilket, enligt tidigare forskning, kan leda till mindervärdeskomplex. Sjukdomen anses i övervägande del påverka livet negativt och skapa en funktionsnedsättning. Flera respondenter uppgav att sjukdomen har varit ett hinder i deras arbete och enligt forskning kan även detta påverka respondenternas uppfattning om eget värde negativt. Bipolär sjukdom anses i denna studie påverka identiteten kraftigt och i största mån negativt. Fortsatt forskning bör fokusera på ”mixet-method” studier med kvantitativa korrelationer mellan till exempel typ av bipolär sjukdom och grad av funktionsnedsättning. / The purpose of this study was to investigate how bipolar disorder affects a person’s identity. In this qualitative study ten in-depth interviewes were conducted. The interviews were seperated into pieces that were assigned a specific code and a thematic analysis was performed. Four themes were identified: perception of identity, acceptance, parenting and the impact of the illness on life. The majority of the participants stated that the disease is part of their identity, which contradicts previous research. Acceptance is stated to occur in various stages and simplifies life once the disease is well accepted, reasearch supports this finding. Participants described a fear that the disease will affect parenthood or that the disease has already affected parenthood. Several participants stated that the disease has led to failed parenting which, according to previous research, can lead to inferiority complex. The disease is predominantly affecting life negatively and creating disability. Several participants stated that the disease has been an obstacle in their career and according to research this can also have a negative impact on the participants’ perception of their own value. In this study, bipolar disorder is considered to have a strong negative impact on identity. Continued research should focus on “mixed-methods” studies with quantitative correlations between for example type of bipolar disorder and level of disability.

Human cells are exposed to exogenous insults and continuous production of different metabolites. These insults and unwanted metabolic products might interfere with the stability of genomic DNA. Recently, many studies have demonstrated that different psychiatric disorders show substantially high levels of oxidative DNA damage in the brain accompanied with morphological and functional alterations. It reveals that damaged genomic DNA may contribute to the pathophysiology of these mental illnesses. In this article, we review the roles of oxidative damage and reduced antioxidant ability in some vastly studied psychiatric disorders and emphasize the inclusion of treatment options involving DNA repair. In addition, while most currently used antidepressants are based on the manipulation of the neurotransmitter regulation in managing different mental abnormalities, they are able to prevent or reverse neurotoxin-induced DNA damage. Therefore, it may be plausible to target on genomic DNA alterations for psychiatric therapies, which is of pivotal importance for future antipsychiatric drug development.

Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder both have strong inherited components. Recent studies have indicated that schizophrenia and bipolar disorder may share more than half of their genetic determinants. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis (combined analysis) for genome-wide association data of the Affymetrix Genome-Wide Human SNP array 6.0 to detect genetic variants influencing both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder using European-American samples (653 bipolar cases and 1034 controls, 1172 schizophrenia cases and 1379 controls). The best associated SNP rs11789399 was located at 9q33.1 (p=2.38×10-6, 5.74×10-4, and 5.56×10-9, for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and meta-analysis of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, respectively), where one flanking gene, ASTN2 (220kb away) has been associated with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and schizophrenia. The next best SNP was rs12201676 located at 6q15 (p=2.67×10-4, 2.12×10-5, 3.88×10-8 for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and meta-analysis, respectively), near two flanking genes, GABRR1 and GABRR2 (15 and 17kb away, respectively). The third interesting SNP rs802568 was at 7q35 within CNTNAP2 (p=8.92×10-4, 1.38×10-5, and 1.62×10-7 for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and meta-analysis, respectively). Through meta-analysis, we found two additional associated genes NALCN (the top SNP is rs2044117, p=4.57×10-7) and NAP5 (the top SNP is rs10496702, p=7.15×10-7). Haplotype analyses of above five loci further supported the associations with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. These results provide evidence of common genetic variants influencing schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. These findings will serve as a resource for replication in other populations to elucidate the potential role of these genetic variants in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Research on rates of HIV testing among individuals diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder (BPD) is limited, while HIV infection continues to rise among BPD individuals. The problem is that BPD individuals are at high risk for HIV infection due to non-adherence to treatment for bipolar disorder and manic episodes that can lead to high-risk behaviors. The goal of the study was to examine the association between selected demographic variables, having a bipolar diagnosis, engaging in high-risk behaviors, inability to afford treatment for bipolar disorder, non-adherence to treatment for bipolar disorder, and substance abuse, and their relationship to obtaining an HIV test (the dependent variable) for individuals with BPD. The epidemiologic triangle model served as the theoretical model to assist with interpreting findings. Data collected from 383 BPD diagnosed individuals from the 2007 National Health Interview Study were analyzed using binary logistic regression, chi-square, and multiple logistic regression methods. The results indicated that all 5 behavioral independent variables were significantly associated (p=.000) with obtaining an HIV test. Significant associations were also found for demographic variables (race, gender, and homelessness) as confounding factors that influenced HIV testing among BPD individuals. Implications for positive social change are increased education on the risks of HIV infection and the need for appropriate HIV testing among BPD diagnosed individuals in an effort to protect the health and welfare of this vulnerable population.

Mental health issues present challenges to the mentally ill, and to the family members who are their caregivers. Among the challenges faced by caregivers are conflict and stress. This transcendental phenomenological study explored the experiences and perceptions of caregivers of conflict, stress, and the role of faith. In addition, this study sought to learn what lessons and strategies caregivers utilized and often created while caring for their family member with bipolar disorder. In this study ten caregivers were interviewed, telephonically or face-to-face, using a semi-structured interview format. Coming from four states, some were employed, some were retired, and one was currently unemployed, but seeking employment. The data analysis reflected four themes: stress, conflict, faith, and strategies learned or created from taking care of a family member with bipolar disorder. This study contributes to the field of conflict resolution, particularly in light of increased diagnoses and treatment of mental health illnesses, such as bipolar disorder. As diagnoses of mental health illness increase, more family members are becoming caregivers, thus prompting the need for enhanced conflict management and resolution skills and training.

Bipolär sjukdom är en allvarlig och komplex psykiatrisk sjukdom. Den kännetecknas av fluktueringar i stämningsläget som inkluderar depressiva, maniska och blandade episoder av olika grad. Av världens befolkning är drygt 1% drabbad av sjukdomen. Att vara anhörig kan innebära en sämre hälsa än normalbefolkningen och de tar ofta på sig ett stort ansvar att vårda, hjälpa och stötta den som är sjuk. Eftersom anhöriga har en betydande roll i den sjukes vård behövs kunskap om anhörigas upplevelser. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka hur det upplevs att vara anhörig till en person med bipolär sjukdom.  Metoden var en litteraturöversikt över kvalitativa studier som syftade till att analysera och sammanställa kunskapsläget inom det valda ämnet. Urvalet bestod av 13 kvalitetsgranskade originalartiklar publicerade mellan år 2008–2021 från databaserna PubMed, CINAHL och PsycINFO. Ett familjecentrerat förhållningssätt har använts som teoretisk referensram. Inom familjecentrerad omvårdnad, som föreligger denna litteraturöversikt, ses familjen som en dynamisk helhet där alla delar påverkar varandra.  Resultatet påvisade att anhöriga påverkades mycket av den närståendes sjukdom. Resultatet delades in i fem teman med tillhörande underteman. Dessa teman var Påverkan på anhörigas hälsa, Påverkan på relationen till den sjuke, Hanteringsstrategier och personlig utveckling, Behov av stöd och problematik kring stigmatisering samt Upplevelser av involveringen i den sjukes vård.  Slutsatsen visade att anhöriga upplever många bördor och en stor belastning av att leva med en person med bipolär sjukdom. Det är av stor vikt att inom hälso-och sjukvården inkludera anhöriga i omvårdnaden. / Bipolar disorder is a serious and complex psychiatric disorder. It is characterized by fluctuations in the mood that include depressive, manic and mixed episodes of varying degrees. More than 1% of the world's population is affected by the disease. Being a relative can mean a poorer health than the normal population and they often take on a great responsibility to give care, help and support to the person who is ill. Since relatives have a significant role in the patient's care, knowledge of relatives' experiences is needed.  The aim of this study was to investigate how it is perceived to be a relative of a person with bipolar disorder.  The method was a qualitative literature review aimed at analysing and compiling the state of knowledge within the chosen subject. The sample consisted of 13 original studies published between 2008 and 2021 from the databases PubMed, CINAHL och PsycINFO. A family-centerd approach has been used as a theoretical frame of reference. In family-centred care, which is referred to in this literature review, the family is seen as a dynamic unit where all parts affect each other. The results showed that relatives were greatly affected by the relative's illness. The result was divided into five themes and related sub-themes. These themes were The impact on the health of the relatives, The impact on the relationship with the sick person, Cooping strategies and personal development, The need for support and problems around stigma and Experiences of involvement in the patient's care.  The conclusion showed that relatives experience many burdens and a great strain of living with a person with bipolar disorder. It is of great importance to include relatives in the healthcare.

No description available.

The human cerebral cortex, the outermost layer of the brain, is typically considered in imaging studies to consist of grey matter (GM), with white matter (WM) lying below it. With better imaging techniques, a third tissue type, found between GM and WM, can be identified. This layer contains myelinated axons and is found in the cortex, thus we call it intracortical myelin (ICM), or myelinated grey matter (GMm). We examined the cortical thickness measurements in female patients with bipolar I or II disorders (BD) versus healthy controls. Previous studies have only examined the thickness of the entire cortex, the GM. We developed a processing pipeline and a statistical tool for examining the ICM thickness between two groups. Results show that there are potential differences in GMm between BD and control groups. Further regional and statistical analysis is required to identify the regions of greatest difference, and to confirm significant differences between BD and control groups. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

No description available.

Despite an abundance of older and more recent retrospective and considerably fewer prospective-longitudinal studies in bipolar disorders I and II, there are still remarkable deficits with regard to our knowledge about the natural course and burden. The considerable general and diagnosis-specific challenges posed by the nature of bipolar disorders are specified, highlighting in particular problems in diagnostic and symptom assessment, shifts in diagnostic conventions and the broadening of the diagnostic concept by including bipolar spectrum disorders. As a consequence it still remains difficult to agree on several core features of bipolar disorders, such as when they begin, how many remit spontaneously and how many take a chronic course. On the basis of clinical and epidemiological findings this paper summarizes (i) a significant need to extend the study of the natural course of bipolar disorder in clinical samples beyond the snapshot of acute episodes to the study of the mid-term and long-term symptom course, associated comorbidities and the associated burden of the disease. (ii) In terms of epidemiological studies, that are also of key importance for resolving the critical issues of threshold definitions in the context of the bipolar spectrum concept, there is a clear need for identifying the most relevant risk factors for the first onset and those for the further illness progression in early stages. Since there are some indications that these critical processes might start as early as adolescence, such studies might concentrate on young cohorts and clearly before these prospective patients come to clinical attention. (iii) The value of both types of studies might be enhanced, if beyond the use of standardized diagnostic interview, special attempts are made to use prospective life- and episode-charting methods for bipolar illnesses.