Bipolar News Around The Word
Individuals suffering with bipolar disorder soon may have one more drug from which to choose. Wilmington, DE based AstraZeneca announced this month that it had submitted the proper paperwork to seek approval for its once-daily SeroquelXR Extended-Release tablets.
The drug would treat both the manic and depressive episodes associated withbipolar disorder. Currently, this drug is approved in eight countries -including the United States - for both the acute and maintenance treatment of schizophrenia.
Its predecessor, Seroquel, has been on the market since 1997. It has been prescribed to more than 25 million individuals suffering from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
In other research concerning bipolar disorder, studies from the University of Pittsburgh reveal that depressive symptoms in women suffering with bipolar disorder improved when they were administered light-box therapy.
The therapy was delivered at midday, the researchers explained, and lasted between 15 to 60 minutes. This experimental treatment for bipolar disorder lasted for up to six weeks. The study involved only nine women who suffered with bipolar disorder, but of those four of the individuals were provided with complete relief from their depression. Two others with bipolar disorder showed partial responses, according to Dorothy Sit, M.D., who led the study.
The time the light-box therapy was administered appears crucial. Most of the improvement in the symptoms came between the hours of noon and 2 p.m. The first four of the participants with bipolar disorder received their therapy in the morning. However, three of them developed symptoms of both mania and depression. That forced two of the individuals with bipolar disorder to drop out of the study. The remaining patients were all treated at midday without any mania flare ups of their bipolar disorder.
The light therapy used on these individuals with bipolar disorder is the same that is given to individuals who suffer with seasonal affective disorder or SAD. SAD is a depression that is occurs most often during the winter months. However, there is also a summer version of SAD.
PBS aired a documentary recently on the drastic increase of toddlers being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. According to the project, there has been a 4,000 percent increase in the diagnosis of bipolar disorder in the very young. Filmmaker Marcela Gaviria said in the documentary that approximately six million children are currently taking medication for bipolar disorder.
Again, a celebrity made the news with speculation she may have bipolar disorder. The pop diva Britney Spears ended a stand off at her house when employees of her ex-husband came to pick up their children. She was taken by ambulance to a local hospital.
It has long been speculated that the singer's erratic behavior and abuse of alcohol are actually related to her having bipolar disorder. It needs to be emphasized though that no official statement has been made by any spokesperson for Ms. Spears.
Whether she has bipolar disorder, as some members of her family suggest, or whether she is suffering from other problems is for the realm of the medical specialists to decide.
