They come into work on a high note one day and as low as a mole on the next. You never knew if Jared took anti-depressants, or if his mood stabilizers depended on giving him his own way on a project.
Have you worked with people who suffer with bipolar disorder?
Science Daily reported today that … “For depressed people with bipo
lar disorder who are taking a mood stabilizer, adding an antidepressant medication is no more effective than a placebo or sugar pill.”
Check out details of these results published online in the New England Journal of Medicine, are part of the large-scale, multi-site Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP-BD), a $26.8 million clinical trial funded by the NIH/National Institute of Mental Health.
Increasingly studies show that bipolar disorder, can become a debilitating illness since severe mood swings between depression and mania impact both the individual and the workplace. Finding the best treatment balance for people with bipolar disorder, however, remains a challenge. In fact, current research suggests that while antidepressants are safe they are no more effective than placebo for a large number of people with bipolar disorder.
We’ll continue to look in on this research as new developments occur for this disorder – which is more and more prevalent in stress related workplaces.
Interestingly there is some research that shows people with Bi-polar challenges are often "discriminated against" in the workplace. Have you seen any of that research, Ellen? If so, what suggestions would you have for folks who battle this? You mention this as a problem, so what solutions do you offer expecially to managers who may deal with it?
Posted by: Robyn McMaster | March 31, 2007 7:53 PM | Permalink to Comment