Bipolar I disorder (BD) is one of the leading causes of disability among adults. Despite the fact that those with BD are at significantly greater risk for experiencing psychosocial hardship, many with the disorder function quite well. Researchers have shown this variability in quality of life to be partly explained by symptom severity, educational attainment, illness characteristics, and cognitive variables (e.g., executive function). The current study extends this research by examining the role of emotional intelligence in the quality of life and social and occupational functioning of people with BD. I hypothesized a significant proportion of the variance in quality of life and social and occupational functioning would be explained by emotional intelligence, above and beyond the variance explained by the aforementioned variables. Forty-two participants with BD were recruited and completed a battery of measures to assess quality of life, cognition, and emotional intelligence. Results indicated that emotional intelligence, as measured by the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test, did not explain any unique variance in quality of life. Self-reported emotional intelligence, on the other hand, did explain unique variance in both subjective well-being and social functioning.

Bakgrund: Vid bipolär sjukdom kan sinnestillståndet skifta mellan upprymt stämningsläge och svår depression. Sjukdomsbilden står i fokus och är grundläggande för att diagnostisera en individ med bipolär sjukdom. Behandling för bipolär sjukdom är framför allt farmakologisk men psykoterapi tillämpas vid behov. Ett gemensamt arbete mellan patient, familjemedlemmar och vårdteamet kan bidra till bättre förutsättningar till återhämtning. Syfte: Syftet var att belysa vuxna personers upplevelser av att leva med bipolär sjukdom. Metod: En allmän litteraturöversikt genomfördes baserad på tio kvalitativa artiklar i resultatet.  Resultat: Vid analys av de sammanställda vetenskapliga artiklarnas resultat framkom det fem teman: att förlora och återta kontrollen, påverkan på interpersonella relationer, påverkan på självbilden/identiteten, upplevelse av stigmatisering och upplevelse av medicinsk behandling. Personer hade svårigheter att kontrollera sina beteenden och humörsvängningarna vid bipolär sjukdom. Kontrollförlusten medförde att de gjorde handlingar som de inte skulle göra när de var symtomfri, vilket skapade känslor av skam och skuld. Sjukdomen påverkade även interpersonella relationer och ledde till förlust av studier, jobb samt identitet. Den maniska episoden kännetecknades av positiva upplevelser, kontrollförlust och pågående pinsamheter. Den depressiva episoden präglades av negativa tankar och känslor. Livsstilsförändringar och olika metoder användes i kombination med medicinering för att hantera sjukdomen. Slutsats: Bipolär sjukdom är en komplex psykisk sjukdom som skapar stort lidande för den drabbade. Symtomen är som berg- och dalbana och oförutsägbar vilket skapar svårigheter att förstå och hantera humörsvängningar. Trots utmaningarna kan sjukdomens omfattning och leva med samt ha ett relativt bra liv med hjälp av olika hanteringsstrategier. / Background: Bipolar disorder is a state of mind the can shift between elevation and severe depression. The disease picture is in focus and is fundamental to diagnosing an individual with bipolar disorder.Treatment for bipolar disorder is primarily pharmacological, but psychotherapy is applied if necessary. Good cooperation between the patient, family members and the care team can help the patient to get better condition for recovery through treatment.  Aim: The aim was to highlight adults' experiences of living with bipolar disorder.  Method: A general literature review was carried out based on ten qualitative articles in the results. Results: An analysis of the results of the compiled scientific articles revealed five themes: losing and regaining control, impact on interpersonal relationships, impact on self-image / identity, experience of stigma and experience of medical treatment. People had difficulty controlling their behaviors and mood swings in bipolar disorder. The loss of control meant that they did actions that they would not do when they were symptom-free, which created feelings of shame and guilt. The disease also affected interpersonal relationships and led to loss of studies, jobs and identity. The manic episode was characterized by positive experiences, loss of control and ongoing embarrassment. The depressive episode was characterized by negative thoughts and feelings. Lifestyle changes and various methods were used in combination with medication to manage the disease. Conclusion: Bipolar disorder is a complex mental illness that creates great suffering for people who have the diagnosis. The symptoms are like a roller coaster and unpredictable, which creates difficulties to understand and manage the mood swings. Despite the challenges, it is possible to limit the extent of the disease and live with it and have a relatively good life with the help of different management strategies.