Introduction: There is growing interest to understand the role of positive psychological features on the outcomes of medical illnesses. Unfortunately this topic is less studied in relation to mental health, and almost completely neglected in relation to one of the most common severe psychiatric illnesses, bipolar disorder. Certain specific psychological characteristics, that are generally viewed as valuable and beneficial morally or socially, may grow out of the experience of having this affective disorder.

Objective: We describe the sources, research and impact of these positive psychological traits in the lives of persons with bipolar disorder based on the few published literature available to date. These include, but are not limited to: spirituality, empathy, creativity, realism, and resilience.

Methods: After an extensive search in the literature, we found 81 articles that involve descriptions of positive psychological characteristics of bipolar disorder.

Results: We found evidence for enhancement of the five above positive psychological traits in persons with bipolar disorder.

Conclusions: Bipolar disorder is associated with the positive psychological traits of spirituality, empathy, creativity, realism, and resilience. Clinical and research attention to preserving and enhancing these traits may improve outcomes in bipolar disorder.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2010.03.017DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

bipolar disorder
20
positive psychological
20
psychological traits
12
psychological characteristics
8
persons bipolar
8
spirituality empathy
8
empathy creativity
8
creativity realism
8
bipolar
7
positive
6

Similar Publications

Bipolar disorder (BD) frequently occurs in children and adolescents, but pharmacological treatment in this group presents significant challenges. Clinicians often struggle to find appropriate treatment guidelines due to the primary focus of current guidelines on adults, leaving specific recommendations for the acute and maintenance treatment of BD in children and adolescents either insufficient or entirely absent. This gap is partly due to the lack of targeted studies in this age group, leading practitioners to rely on clinical experience and studies conducted in adults.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Mood variation under dual regulation of circadian clock and light.

Chronobiol Int

January 2025

Laboratory of Braintime, Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain and Consciousness (GIMBC), Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.

The intricate relationship between circadian rhythms and mood is well-established. Disturbances in circadian rhythms and sleep often precede the development of mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BD), and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Two primary factors, intrinsic circadian clocks and light, drive the natural fluctuations in mood throughout the day, mirroring the patterns of sleepiness and wakefulness.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction The literature highlights the crucial role of midwives in assessing and managing perinatal mental health and in providing information to women about related issues. However, research also indicates significant gaps in midwives' knowledge and skills needed to fulfill this role. Data suggest that while midwives are interested in providing mental health support, they lack the confidence, knowledge, and training to do so effectively.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Family caregivers of people living with serious mental illness such as bipolar disorder, psychosis and schizophrenia, are continuously burdened with caregiving, following the complexities of navigating the mental health system for their loved ones. The aim of the study was to understand the perspectives of caregivers about care coordination for people living with serious mental illness, highlighting the current landscape and new directions across Canada.

Methods: In this co-designed participatory qualitative research, caregivers of people living with serious mental illness, and service providers were engaged and purposively sampled across Canada.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!