Bipolar disorder education fosters appropriate diagnosis and treatment
Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental illness and refers to a spectrum which encompasses several diagnoses, including bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymic disorder.1,2 Bipolar I disorder, marked by extreme manic episodes, has a lifetime prevalence of 2.1 percent, and a 12-month prevalence of 1.5 percent.1,3 This equates to approximately 4.9 million and 3.7 million adult Americans, respectively.3
The estimated direct and indirect costs of bipolar I and II disorders in 2009 were $30.7 billion and $120.3 billion, respectively.4
Greater than 33 percent of patients with bipolar disorder remained misdiagnosed for 10 years or more, delaying treatment.5
Frameworks in Health and Quality: Understanding and Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder is a series of educational resources for healthcare stakeholders — including providers and payers who can choose to share resources with patients and their caregivers — that aims to:
- Emphasize the importance of understanding and appropriate diagnosis of bipolar disorder
- Promote awareness and reduce associated stigma
- Enhance communication among all stakeholders
- Support stakeholders with patient and caregiver educational materials
- Encourage patient wellness and adherence to treatment plans
Evidence demonstrates the need for improved understanding and diagnosis of bipolar disorder.5 Our Frameworks in Health and Quality: Understanding and Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder disease management program can complement your efforts by providing resources to key stakeholders who are in a position to help improve the care delivered to consumers.
Payer Resources
Program materials include key issues for payers such as bipolar disorder spectrum, economic impact, challenges and misdiagnosis, treatment, stigma, and potential strategies to help support healthcare providers and patients.
Provider Resources
Program materials include key issues for providers such as bipolar disorder evidence-based diagnostic criteria, challenges and misdiagnosis, treatment, stigma, and potential strategies to collaborate with consumers.
Patient*/Caregiver Resources
Program materials for patients and caregivers focus on awareness and education, treatment, and stigma associated with bipolar disorder.