More than 568,000 Australians

live with Bipolar Disorder

Their Recovery is our Priority

Bipolar Australia Limited (ABN 35 169 187 517)

30 Griffiths Ave West Ryde NSW 2114

Email: info@bipolaraustralia.org.au

Web: www.bipolaraustralia.org.au

Summary of References

Angst J, Adolfsson R, Benazzi F, et al. The HCL-32: towards a self-assessment

tool for hypomanic symptoms in outpatients. J Affect Disord. 2005;88(2):217-33.

Chen MH, Chen YS, Hsu JW, et al (2015), Comorbidity of ADHD and subsequent

bipolar disorder among adolescents and young adults with major depression: a

nationwide longitudinal study. Bipolar Disord. 2015;17(3):315-22.

Drancourt N, Etain B, Lajnef M, et al (2013), Duration of untreated bipolar

disorder: missed opportunities on the long road to optimal treatment. Acta

Psychiatr Scand. 2013;127(2):136-44.

Dudek D, Siwek M, Zielińska D, Jaeschke R, Rybakowski J (2013), Diagnostic

conversions from major depressive disorder into bipolar disorder in an outpa-

tient setting: results of a retrospective chart review. J Affect Disord. 2013;144(1-

2):112-5.

Holma KM, Haukka J, Suominen K, et al (2014), Differences in incidence of sui-

cide attempts between bipolar I and II disorders and major depressive disorder.

Bipolar Disord. 2014;16(6):652-61.

Marwaha S, Durrani A, Singh S (2013), Employment outcomes in people with

bipolar disorder: a systematic review. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2013;128(3):179-93.

Miklowitz DJ (2015), The Long and Winding Road to Bipolar Disorder. Am J

Psychiatry. 2015;172(7):599-600.

Palmier-Claus JE, Berry K, Bucci S, Mansell W, Varese F (2016), Relationship

between childhood adversity and bipolar affective disorder: systematic review

and meta-analysis. Br J Psychiatry. 2016;209(6):454-459.

Poon Y, Chung KF, Tso KC, Chang CL, Tang D (2012), The use of Mood Disorder

Questionnaire, Hypomania Checklist-32 and clinical predictors for screening

previously unrecognised bipolar disorder in a general psychiatric setting. Psychi-

atry Res. 2012;195(3):111-7.

Walid MS & Zaytseva, NV (2011), Which Neuropsychiatric Disorder Is More

Associated With Divorce? Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 52(4), 220-224.

Support Bipolar Australia’s efforts to

make recovery possible for 568,000

Australians with bipolar disorder.

Every donation over $2 is tax deductible.

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Bipolar Australia and its initiatives.

Cheques can be made out to Bipolar Australia Limited.

Our banking details are—account name: Bipolar Australia;

account number: 282677; BSB: 032-280 (Westpac).

If you would prefer to make a donation online, please visit

our website at www.bipolaraustralia.org.au/support-us.

Fact: Bipolar Disorder affects people at

rates which are similar to other serious

conditions, including cancers and autism.

Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Institute of Health and

Welfare, The National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling

Fact: Bipolar can be diagnosed, treated,

and well managed—recovery is possible.

According to the Black Dog Institute, a leading

research body based at Sydney’s Prince of

Wales Hospital, bipolar is largely inherited

through genetics, and can be triggered by

factors including stress and pregnancy.

Typical treatment for bipolar includes

medication prescribed by a psychiatrist,

psychological therapies such as ongoing

counselling, and education for families and

friends. Bipolar can be well managed, and

after treatment most people are able to

participate in all aspects of community life.

A message from our founder

Bipolar Disorder touches the lives

of tens of thousands of Australians

every day. Unfortunately, too

many people never hear the good

news that recovery is possible,

and don’t get the help they need.

Bipolar Australia was founded to

help change this. With your support, we can ensure

that every Australian affected by this condition, and

every carer, knows that bipolar can be diagnosed,

treated, and well managed, and we can ensure that

they have the support they need to recover.

Every tax deductible donation helps us to further

these life-changing goals. On behalf of the 568,000

Australians with bipolar disorder, their families,

carers, and friends, thank you for your support.

Susana Bluwol

Executive Director

Suicide rates remain unacceptably high—double the rate of

people with depression. In addition, many individuals with

bipolar disorder have difficulty finding employment and the

vast majority end up alone without a current relationship.

Sources: Holma et al (2014); Marwaha & Singh (2013); Walid & Zaytseva (2011)

We need to ensure that people with

bipolar disorder can experience recovery.

Fact: Recovery from bipolar can start with

a simple visit to your General Practitioner.

Many people who have bipolar disorder

spend up to 10 years without getting the

help they need. If you, or someone you

love, have two or more of the following

symptoms, we recommend that you ask

your GP or counsellor for a bipolar test:

Repeated episodes of depression;

Treatment resistant depression;

Frequent or severe anxiety;

Psychiatric medication, e.g. anti-

depressants, not working properly;

Periods where you or your loved one

are faster, more sociable, and need less sleep; and

Difficulties as a child or young adult, such as learning

problems or trauma.

Your GP may use a free tool from the Black Dog Institute

called the Mood Assessment Program, or alternatively may

make a referral to a specialist doctor, such as a psychiatrist.

Sources: Angst et al (2005); Chen et al (2015); Drancourt et al (2013);

Dudek et al (2012); Miklowitz (2015); Palmier-Claus (2016); Poon et al (2012)

Bipolar Australia does not receive ongoing

funding, and as a result we rely heavily on

the generosity of the community. Please support our work to

spread the good news of recovery from bipolar by making a

donation online at www.bipolaraustralia.org.au/support-us.

Fact: Your help is needed to give

everyone a chance to recover.