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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Connect. Learn. Engage.CREST.BDCREST.BD
Featuring: Sara Lapsley
CREST.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 BD
How you can take action
Webinar focus

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Defining study
Ranging 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 opportunities
provide social benefits
open doors of opportunity

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Study and BD
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Lejeune, S.M.W. (2011). Special considerations in the treatment of college students with BD. Journal of American
College Health, 59(7): 666-669.
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Schoeyen, 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
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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.
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Demery 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
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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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Take 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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Make 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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Find out about your study program’s policies and services
Research what your school can do for academic
accommodations

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Support groups can help you to:
deal with the challenges of BD
identify the onset of mood symptoms6
increase sense of belonging and connection with peers
problem-solve with people in similar situations
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Federman, R. (2011). Treatment of BD in the university student population. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy,
25: 24-38.

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Address 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 health
Mental 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
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Martin, J.M. (2010). Stigma and student mental health in higher study. Higher Study Research & Development, 29(3):
259-274.
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Hyman, 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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Stay connected!
Connect with other students through study groups,
organizations and clubs on campus
Online campus community
Students who are socially engaged have a better study
experience than those who aren’t9
Build relationships with professors
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Salzer, 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
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Federman, 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 disorder
http://www.bphope.com/Item.aspx/689/facing-college

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Resources
Designing Healthy Campus Communities
http://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/

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Acknowledgments

CREST.BD Study & Bipolar Disorder Slides

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