Bipolar Disorder: The UK’s Forgotten Patients
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A recent documentary has shed light on the struggles of living with bipolar disorder, with a focus on the treatment and care available in the UK. The BBC has been following the journey of Heston Blumenthal, a renowned chef, as he navigates the complexities of the condition and the challenges of finding effective treatment.
During six months of filming, Heston’s psychiatrists worked to wean him off the cocktail of pills prescribed to him after his hospital visit, and he was moved onto the mood-stabilising medicine, lithium, as reported by the BBC. This process was not without its challenges, as changing medications can trigger extreme reactions. However, with careful management, Heston began to show significant improvements.
According to the BBC, initially, Heston was subdued, stating that the antipsychotics and antidepressants made him feel “zombified” and his memories were clouded. However, as time passed, his mood lifted, his energy returned, and he regained some of his old swagger. Lithium was working for him, and it was clear that he was starting to recognise the Heston of years gone by.
The BBC reports that towards the end of filming, Heston was keen to ask about research into bipolar care in the UK. The man they spoke to was definitely still Heston – obsessing over the perfect peppercorn ratio – but now he was calm, focused, and self-aware. Professor Geddes, a leading expert in the field, commented on the effectiveness of lithium, stating, “Lithium is the gold standard of care, but in the UK we don’t use it enough. It requires careful management from GPs and psychiatrists. In the NHS, the system simply can’t keep up – that’s probably one of the reasons why lithium use is falling in the UK, when it should be rising.”
The UK has a stark shortage of psychiatrists and mental health professionals, resulting in patients facing waits that often stretch over years. On average, it takes someone more than nine years to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder from first contact with a GP, as highlighted by the BBC. During interviews with psychiatrists, they described bipolar patients as “ghosts in the system”, “the ones that fell through the cracks”, and simply as “forgotten” or “let down”.
The BBC also reports that lithium use, and timely access to psychiatrists, are both directly linked to a reduction in suicidal thoughts in people with bipolar disorder. However, in the UK, death by suicide is rising for people living with the illness, bucking the trend of downward suicide rates. This is a stark reminder of the need for improved care and treatment options for those living with bipolar disorder.
The documentary and the BBC‘s reporting on this issue highlight the need for increased awareness and understanding of bipolar disorder, as well as the importance of providing timely and effective treatment options for those affected. As Professor Geddes noted, “Lithium is a highly effective treatment, but it requires careful management. The UK’s mental health system must do better to provide patients with the care they need.”
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