What is Bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is the experience of episodes of high and sometimes irritable mood (hypomania/mania) together with episodes of low mood (depression). These mood episodes are associated with other symptoms such as:
- sleep disturbances (too much or too little)
- impulsivity (eg. inappropriately spending too much money)
- difficulty concentrating and being organised
- a change in the speed of thought and speech (too fast or too slow)
- and overly negative or positive thinking.
Symptoms can affect the ability to think and function to the extent that it can be very difficult to carry out normal daily activities. Also, someone’s behaviour can be so uncharacteristic that it is noticed by others.
Mood disturbance in bipolar disorder often starts in adolescence or early adult life, and commonly the first episode is depression. Many people live with bipolar disorder for many years before they seek help.
Our research using new monitoring techniques has shown that for many people with bipolar disorder the key feature of their illness is chronic mood instability. We hope that a better understanding of the role of mood instability in bipolar disorder will eventually lead to the development of new and better treatments in the future.
Working with the Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre (OH BRC)
The Bipolar Disorder Research Clinic and the OH BRC have a strong track record of developing and testing new treatments and procedures, having together conducted over 100 clinical trials. We are also part of a large international collaboration with the leading research institutes in psychiatry across the world. Our strategy is to bring the best science to mental health.
The OH BRC transforms our discovery science into new treatments and diagnostic tools, delivering precision care that is strongly informed by patient involvement, ethical and economic considerations.
Research opportunities
Our research using new monitoring techniques such as True Colours shows that many people with bipolar disorder have chronic mood instability, even when they are well. We hope that a better understanding of the role of mood instability in bipolar disorder will lead to the development of new and better treatments.
We do different sorts of research including:
- using a variety of technologies to monitor your mood and related activity
- completing questionnaires and being interviewed by a researcher
- donating a blood sample
- having a brain scan
- taking part in computer based tasks
- taking part in trials testing medication or psychological treatment.
For more information about our current studies, please contact us:
Tel: 01865 902135
Further information
Bipolar Disorder -Guidelines for treatment
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
British Association for Psychopharmacology
Support and information for patients and carers
