World Bipolar Day: Advancing Understanding and Inviting Change

This World Bipolar Day, we take a moment to shine a light on bipolar disorder. 

It is estimated that more than one million people have bipolar in the UK, with approximately 50,000 to 55,000 people in Wales thought to be living with the condition. 

Bipolar disorder is often misunderstood. It is sometimes reduced to simple ideas about mood changes, but the reality is far more complex. It can affect every aspect of a person’s life, from relationships and work to identity and wellbeing. Experiences vary widely, and no two people’s journeys are the same. 

This World Bipolar Day, we want to celebrate the progress in understanding the condition, highlight the latest research, and invite everyone to be part of the change whether through supporting those living with bipolar, raising awareness, or contributing to research efforts like the Brain and Genomics Hub’s B-SPRINT study. 

Supporting Better Understanding Through Research 

Adferiad is actively involved in research that aims to improve how serious mental illnesses are understood, diagnosed, and treated. 

One key area of this work is our involvement in the Brain and Genomics Hub’s B-SPRINT study. Working alongside our partners, Bipolar UK and Cardiff University, the aim is to better understand the treatment and diagnosis of serious mental illnesses. 

This research is focused on improving the diagnosis of serious mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder, as well as identifying new targets for treatment. 

By bringing together expertise from across research, clinical practice, and lived experience, the study aims to build a clearer and more accurate understanding of how these conditions develop and are experienced. 

 Progress 

As of February, 154 people have been recruited to the project. A breakdown of participant details is as follows:  

• Gender: Female = 60%, Male = 39% Male, Other = 1% 

• Average age of participants = 45 years 

• Ethnicity: White British (English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish) = 92% 

• SMI: Schizophrenia = 21%, Schizoaffective disorder = 8%, Bipolar = 69% 

This is a fantastic achievement, but more is needed to be done to help the future of serious mental illness. 

Recruitment is ongoing until 2027 and individuals with serious mental health conditions are encouraged to take part to help progress the future. All participants will receive £120 on completion of the study.  

You can visit the braingenhub.co.uk website for further information to apply. 

Making a Difference to Bipolar Disorder 

Conditions such as bipolar disorder can be complex, with symptoms that may overlap with other mental health conditions. This can sometimes lead to delays in diagnosis or challenges in finding the most effective support. 

Research like the B-SPRINT study is essential in addressing these challenges. By improving understanding at both a biological and experiential level, it has the potential to support earlier diagnosis, provide more personalised care, and result in better long-term outcomes. 

Alongside this, Adferiad’s wider research – working directly with service users and therapists, continues to highlight the importance of accessible, inclusive, and person-centred support.  

Whether through new technologies or traditional services, the message is clear: support must work for the individual. 

This World Bipolar Day 

Living with bipolar disorder can bring challenges, but it is only one part of a person’s story. 

Through research, collaboration, and lived experience, we can continue to improve understanding, challenge stigma, and ensure that people receive the support they need, when they need it. 

This World Bipolar Day, we want to reaffirm our commitment to that work and encourage every contribution to help create a better understanding of serious mental health conditions.  

If you or someone you know may be interested in taking part in the B-SPRINT study, you can find more information via braingenhub.co.uk 

If you would like to get involved or know more about Adferiad’s work in Wales, get in touch with us at info@adferiad.org 

For more information about the Brain and Genomics Hub, you can view the launch video by clicking here. 

To stay up to date with the Brain and Genomics Hub, you can follow Cardiff University on their social media. 

Image Credit: Cardiff University