March 30th is World Bipolar Day. The awareness day aims to inform about the mental illness and the struggles it can cause for individuals suffering from it, improving sensitivity and eliminating social stigma.
Bipolar disorder is a complex mental illness [1] and is more prevalent than one might think. In 2019, 40 million people globally suffered from the condition [2]. Typically, individuals with bipolar disorder “experience alternating depressive episodes with periods of manic symptoms”, where euphoric feelings and reckless behavior may occur [2].
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that often requires treatment over the course of many years [1]. Although there are a variety of effective treatment options available for the condition today, including medication and psychoeducation [2], the disorder is linked to high risks of relapse and hospitalisation [1]. In addition, individuals suffering from bipolar disorder are at a higher risk of suicide [2]. Among the age group of 15–44-year-olds, bipolar disorder is one of the leading causes of disability [1].
At Monsenso, we have a long history of trying to help individuals struggling with bipolar disorder to better take care of their mental health. Originally a spin-out of the EU-funded MONARCA Research Project, which aimed to create an innovational system allowing for better management, treatment and self-treatment of bipolar disorder [3], and with our continuous involvement in bipolar research and treatment support, we are committed to helping people living with the condition to live better, more independent lives.
We are proud to support World Bipolar Day and will continue to spread awareness and offer our support to individuals affected and clinicians providing treatment for the mental illness.
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About Monsenso
Monsenso is an innovative technology company offering a digital health solution used for decentralised trials, remote patient monitoring and treatment support. Our mission is to contribute to improved health for more people at lower costs by supporting treatment digitally and leveraging patient-reported outcomes data. Our solution helps optimise the treatment and gives a detailed overview of an individual’s health through the collection of outcome, adherence and behavioural data. It connects individuals, carers and health care providers to enable personalised treatment, remote care and early intervention. We collaborate with health and social care, pharmaceuticals and leading researcher worldwide in our endeavours to deliver solutions that fit into the life of patients and health care professionals. To learn more visit www.monsenso.com
References
[1] Faurholt-Jepsen, M., Vinberg, M., Christensen, E.M., Frost, M., Bardram, J., Kessing, L.V (2013). Daily electronic self-monitoring of subjective and objective symptoms in bipolar disorder–the MONARCA trial protocol (MONitoring, treAtment and pRediCtion of bipolAr disorder episodes): a randomised controlled single-blind trial. BMJ Open, 24;3(7), e003353. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-003353. PMID: 23883891; PMCID: PMC3731717.
[2] World Health Organization (2022). Mental disorders.
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders
[3] Europäische Kommission (2019). MONitoring, treAtment and pRediCtion of bipolAr Disorder Episodes. CORDIS Forschungsergebnisse der EU.
https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/248545/de