CREST.BD Study & Bipolar Disorder Slides

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CREST.BDBipolar Wellness Center Webinars Connect. Learn. Engage.

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Bipolar Wellness Center Webinars Connect. Learn. Engage. CREST.BD

Study

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Bipolar Wellness Center Webinars Connect. Learn. Engage. CREST.BD CREST.BD

Featuring: Sara LapsleyCREST.BD Peer Researcher, Counsellor and Group Clinician, Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, M.A. Candidate in Counselling Psychology, University of British Columbia

Study

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Defining study Why study can be important to your QoL Study and BDHow you can take action

Webinar focus

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Defining studyRanging from school through to post-secondary study activities, e.g., • online courses• college and university work • vocational schools and apprenticeships• full-time, part-time, supported study

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Why can study be important to QoL?Study can:

be personally valuable, building self-confidence, meaning, recovery lead to better employment opportunitiesprovide social benefits open doors of opportunity

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Study and BD

1 Lejeune, S.M.W. (2011). Special considerations in the treatment of college students with BD. Journal of American College Health, 59(7): 666-669. 2Schoeyen, H.K., Birkenaes, A.B., Vaaler, A.E., et al. (2011). BD patients have similar levels of education but lower socioeconomic status than the general population. Journal of Affective Disorders, 129: 68-74.

BD often first appears in young adulthood, when many enter post-secondary education1 Research on education and BD is thin Existing evidence yields mixed results Early onset of symptoms, rapid cycling or frequent depressive episodes (>4 year) related to greater challenges2

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Study and BD

3 Knis-Matthews, L., Bokara, J., DeMeo, L., Lepore, N., & Mavus, L. (2007). The meaning of higher study for people diagnosed with a mental illness: Four students share their experiences. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 31(2): 107-114.4Demery R., Thirlaway, K., & Mercer, J. (2012). The experiences of university students with a mood disorder. Disability & Society, 27(4), 519-533.

BD symptoms and episodes can place a heavy toll on ability to study and complete coursework Even when mood is stable, people with BD can struggle with cognitive symptoms, which may affect ability to succeed at school3,4

Can include problems paying attention, remembering, processing information, solving problems, or planning

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A Risky Environment? College and university settings - an environment full of BD triggers: • staying up late studying• irregular routines• partying; exposure to substance use • “goal attainment” is a known trigger for mania5

Goal: healthy balance between study goals, habits and mood stability

Study and BD

5 Johnson, S.L., Cueller, A., Ruggero, C. et al. (2008). Life events as predictors of mania and depression in BD I. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 117: 268-277.

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How you can take actionTake charge of your self-care

Routine (e.g., sleep, study periods, diet, social activities, exercise)

School-life balance Be cautious about substance use

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How you can take actionMake use of on-campus mental healthcare providers

Most schools have student health clinics to provide access to doctors, nurses and counselling Can help with: • stresses associated with being a student• academic accommodations• negotiations with professors or deans • life skills • medication decisions

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How you can take actionFind out about your study program’s policies and services

Research what your school can do for academic accommodations

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How you can take actionSupport groups can help you to:

deal with the challenges of BD identify the onset of mood symptoms6 increase sense of belonging and connection with peersproblem-solve with people in similar situations

6 Federman, R. (2011). Treatment of BD in the university student population. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 25: 24-38.

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How you can take actionAddress stigma

BD stigma is a pernicious problem that occurs in educational environments Increasingly, campus administrators, educators and students are taking a proactive stance on discussing mental health issues and supporting students’ mental healthMental health awareness clubs Disclosure considerations: • Research about potential impacts of disclosure mixed• Some positive results include: more eligibility for services, increased social support and a sense of empowerment7, 8

7 Martin, J.M. (2010). Stigma and student mental health in higher study. Higher Study Research & Development, 29(3): 259-274.8Hyman, I. (2008). Self-Disclosure and its Impact on Individuals who Receive Mental Health Services. HHS Pub. No. (SMA)-08-4337 Rockville, MD. Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

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How you can take actionStay connected!

Connect with other students through study groups, organizations and clubs on campus Online campus communityStudents who are socially engaged have a better study experience than those who aren’t9 Build relationships with professors

9Salzer, M. S. (2012). A comparative study of campus experiences of college students with mental illnesses versus a general college sample. Journal of American College Health, 60(1): 1-7.

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Tools and Resources

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What You Can Do: The Four Ss of Bipolar Stability10

• Creating a structured life• Managing your stress• Getting good sleep• Learning to self-monitor

10Federman, R., & Thomson, J. (2010). Facing bipolar: The young adult’s guide to dealing with BD. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.

Resources

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Resources

Facing college: Making the grade with bipolar disorderhttp://www.bphope.com/Item.aspx/689/facing-college

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Resources

Designing Healthy Campus Communitieshttp://www.healthycampuses.ca/

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For more information and resources, visit our Bipolar Wellness Center at:

http://www.bdwellness.com/

To assess your quality of life, visit our QoL tool at:

http://www.bdqol.com/

http://www.bdwellness.com/

http://www.bdqol.com/

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Acknowledgments

CREST.BD Study & Bipolar Disorder Slides

Education

Transcript of CREST.BD Study & Bipolar Disorder Slides