Addressing the unmet needs of bipolar disorder in Australia and beyond
People impacted by bipolar disorder are confronted by many unmet needs that contribute to the overall burden associated with the disorder. We do not have a good understanding of the underlying pathology of bipolar disorder, so we do not have biomarkers to accurately identify those who are at risk of developing the disorder. Delayed diagnosis is the norm, and it can take a decade or more for an individual to receive a diagnosis and to start appropriate treatment. We have evidence-based treatments such as lithium and psychosocial therapies; however, their availability and use are limited. We need a consolidated approach to advance indicated prevention and early intervention for bipolar disorder. In this viewpoint article, we describe these barriers in detail as well as introduce international and national work that is being done to progress the field. At the national level, we introduce the National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence in Bipolar Disorder. The Centre for Research Excellence in Bipolar Disorder comprises a multidisciplinary team of experts from Australia and internationally who are working together to develop a better understanding of opportunities for indicated prevention and early intervention as well as to improve interventions for those impacted by the disorder. Here we describe our research framework, stakeholder engagement activities and strategies for workforce development and capacity building. Ultimately by working together we will attempt to address many of issues faced by individuals impacted by bipolar disorder.
Authors
- Cathrine Mihalopoulos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7127-9462)
- Craig Macneil (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7075-1593)
- Sue Cotton (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9386-8348)
- Lesley Berk
- Frank Iorfino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1109-0972)
- Jan L. Scott (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7203-8601)
- Aswin Ratheesh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8029-9422)
- Tania Perich (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2843-8939)
- Olivia Dean (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2776-3935)
- Emma Morton (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6179-1983)
- Mary Lou Chatterton (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4902-9448)
- Christopher G. Davey (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1431-3852)
- Patrick D. McGorry (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3789-6168)
- Ian Bernard Hickie (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8832-9895)
- Ken R. Walder (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6758-4763)
- Elizabeth Scott (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3907-0324)
- Tamsyn E. Van Rheenen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3339-6665)
- Michael Berk (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5554-6946)
- Jacob J. Crouse (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3805-2936)
- Alison Ruth Yung (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0401-9791)
- Greg Murray (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7208-5603)
- Melissa Hasty (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9040-7602)
- Kate Filia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6581-5890)
- Philip Bowden Mitchell (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7954-5235)
- Andrew A. Nierenberg
Institutions
- The University of Sydney (AU)
- Translational Research Institute (AU)
- Harvard University (US)
- Deakin University (AU)
- The University of Melbourne (AU)
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health (AU)
- Park Centre for Mental Health (AU)
- UNSW Sydney (AU)
- Massachusetts General Hospital (US)
- Orygen (AU)
- Monash University (AU)
- Swinburne University of Technology (AU)
- Western Sydney University (AU)
- Newcastle University (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
- Published
- 2025-09-12
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1177/00048674251361727
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Bipolar Disorder and Treatment
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.47