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Editorials

Primary care and bipolar disorder

Judy Shakespeare, Sharon Dixon and Steven Marwaha
British Journal of General Practice 2023; 73 (728): 104-105. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp23X732057
Judy Shakespeare
Retired GP, Oxford.
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Sharon Dixon
Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford; GP Partner, Donnington Medical Partnership, Oxford.
Roles: National Institute for Health and Care Research Doctoral Research Fellow
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Steven Marwaha
Bipolar UK Commissioner; Professor of Psychiatry, Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham; Consultant Psychiatrist, Specialist Mood Disorders Clinic and Solihull Mental Health Trust, Birmingham.
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The recent publication of the Bipolar Commission’s report, ‘Bipolar Minds Matter’, by Bipolar UK (BDUK) makes it timely to revisit the place of UK primary care in bipolar disorder (BD).1 Bipolar disorder is a severe mood disorder that affects more than 1 million people in the UK; this is nearly one-third more than dementia and twice the number for schizophrenia.

This chronic disease is subclassified into distinct categories; for example, patients with BD1 have more severe manic episodes, whereas in BD2 the episodes of elation are less severe and shorter, often not coming to medical attention. Whatever the type of disease, the outcomes can be poor.2 Without effective pharmacological and psychological interventions patients will suffer relapses. The aims of treatment are to prevent relapse and improve function. Most people with BD have a co-existing psychiatric illness, such as drug and alcohol misuse, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.2

THE BIPOLAR COMMISSION’S REPORT

The Bipolar Commission surveyed 2334 patients living with diagnosed BD and interviewed over 100 patients, relatives, clinicians, and academics. It reports stark facts.1,3

Mortality is increased from natural (cardiovascular and respiratory disease) and unnatural causes (suicide, accidents, and homicide), with most attributable to physical health causes. People with BD die on average 10–15 years earlier than their peers without BD. They have a 20 times greater risk of suicide than the general population; up to 20% of (mostly untreated) people with BD end their life by suicide.1

In the BDUK survey, it took an average …

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British Journal of General Practice: 73 (728)
British Journal of General Practice
Vol. 73, Issue 728
March 2023
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Primary care and bipolar disorder
Judy Shakespeare, Sharon Dixon, Steven Marwaha
British Journal of General Practice 2023; 73 (728): 104-105. DOI: 10.3399/bjgp23X732057

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Primary care and bipolar disorder
Judy Shakespeare, Sharon Dixon, Steven Marwaha
British Journal of General Practice 2023; 73 (728): 104-105. DOI: 10.3399/bjgp23X732057
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    • THE BIPOLAR COMMISSION’S REPORT
    • THE ROLE OF GENERAL PRACTICE IN BIPOLAR DISORDER CARE
    • CONCLUSION
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Print ISSN: 0960-1643
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