Cognitive Impairment and Functional Disability in Bipolar Disorder - How Can We Optimize Outcomes?

Katherine E. Burdick. Ph.D. of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School received the BBRF Colvin Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Mood Disorders Research and presented in the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation's 2021 International Mental Health Research Virtual Symposium.

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[justgina]

I am Bi-Polar, diagnosed in my early 20's. I am now 38, so I have seen LOTS of doctors. You gave me more actual information in a 27min Video than all my doctors combined have over the years. I usually get a limited evaluation, no empathy, the same old take your meds and move one OR I get that very optimistic doctor that has a "game changer medication." I like their enthusiasm but I've yet to have a miracle drug or drug cocktail that stays effective long term. I don't know many people like me but unless I want to take the meds that take away any joy I might have in life, I just stay in the cycle and hold on tight. The hardest part of explaining my disease is that it's not disease you can see, nor do I get to pick when it decides to perk its little head and destroy everything around me; friends, family, finances, job, everything. When I use the term destroy, that's exactly what I mean. Thanks for letting me vent and thank you for the video.

[rickredmond]

I am a graduate student in clinical social work who was recently concurrently diagnosed with Bipolar 1 and ADHD. I am in treatment but still significantly challenged by cognitive deficits. This lecture/video is not only extremely helpful, resourceful and informative but also and equally fascinating and compelling. Thank you!

[ryanbergman]

Thank you, this helped me understand and validate so many experiences i have with my own bipolar symptoms. Seriously, Thank you:)

[georgina]

My husband of over 30 years aged 76 was diagnosed with Bipolar 2 six weeks ago after his first ever episode of hypomania. I understand it is highly unusual to be diagnosed with Bipolar at his age. He has a history of depression and ADHD and has been treated with antidepressents for over 30 years. When he presented with hypomania his GP stopped his antidepressants and then his psychiatrist commenced him on Olanzapine and his dose has been adjusted. He is a normal weight, metabolically healthy, does not drink alcohol and has been avoiding sugar and caffeine. I have also avoided sugar in my diet for over a year and my inflamatory marker is now normal. I believe avoiding sugar, processed food and seed oils reduces inflammation and I am hopeful this will be a factor in limiting further cognitive decline as we age. All we can do is reduce the risk factors and be compliant with his medication. Loved your talk, helped me understand the subtypes of Bipolar, very informative.

[Lunaa]

As a bipolar patient I thank you 🙏 for trying to understand us and helping the medical community and our family and friends accept us and help. ❤.

[lambdd]

I have bipolar, am currently working and my mood is mostly stable. My IQ is fine and my intellectual abilities are better than most people (I passed some very tough proofreading exams a few years ago and have no problems understanding technical medical papers due to my biology degree). However, my current job involves manual labour and I'm struggling to concentrate, I find it hard to understand what people are saying, I am easily distracted and my short term memory is poor. What I find particularly distressing is that people treat me like I'm stupid and that can drive my mood symptoms.

[moyagreene]

This was an excellent and highly informative presentation and thank you for pursuing this research. We still have so much to learn about bipolar disorder.. sadly bipolar 2 seems to be the poor cousin in research community.
What your work demonstrates is that bipolar patients are quite different and taking your sub- grouping approach is very important to the design of appropriate treatments.

[JeffreyWilliams-drqe]

Zyprexa! Risperidone! Seroquel! More please!

[NightofFungi]

This video helped me a lot. I feel like I have managed to move myself most of the way from the suboptimal category to being more intact and reducing substance use has been instrumental in getting back to a more healthy and resilient state.

[cybercab]

How have I never heard this before?? I’m going to look up more on subtypes of BD. Thank you. 🙏

[apurvvanapalli]

I've bipolar 1. Thankyou. This is reassuring

[einsibongo]

Ok, maybe I haven't scrolled far enough. What are the bullet points for recovery and maintenance of bipolar brains?

Sleep
Anti inflammatory (diet, ibuprofen?)
More?

[heisenberg]

Thank you very much for this very insightful video !

[yanan]

I'm just diagnosed bipolar 1 and I suffer from cognitive impairments when stable even though I'm not taking any medication yet. How much worse can I expect this to get? I'm so forgetful and clumsy at times and struggle holding a conversation.

[RolandWelsch]

Thank you very informative, unfortunately the mic is not that good😊

[sicilyny]

Is the inflammation from comorbidities, other illness like diabetes, IBD..etc??? Many BD have IBDs.( Overall research)

[sandywhat]

What about cognitive decline from medications?

[MaxWaldron]

Important sub groups based on outcome prognosis. Reductionism at work.

[JeffreyWilliams-drqe]

This as Great news for such tech savvy empathetic citizens of the world. The malignant stigma of mentals illness is in remission as we speak. Lets break for lunch shall we?

[sicilyny]

Is this saying, Bipolar become schizophrenic???