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Bipolar disorder ignored by the Mental Health National Service Framework but not forgotten by the British Association for Psychopharmacology

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Hamish McAllister-WilliamsORCiD, Dr Stuart Watson

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Abstract

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe mental illness that has been largely ignored by the National Service Framework (NSF) for Mental Health. This is particularly notable because it is associated with a higher suicide rate than schizophrenia and has a greater burden of disability. The NSF offers little guidance on service models that specifically consider BD. This is of concern because of the complexities that are inherent in the management of BD. These deficiencies in the NSF may have far-reaching implications for resource allocation, service organization, and patient management and well-being. Moreover, the standards and performance targets laid out in the NSF will be difficult to meet if this important and common mental illness is not specifically catered for in mental health services. Local Implementation Teams would be well advised to take note of the recently published British Association for Psychopharmacology guidelines for the management of BD.

Publication metadata

Author(s): McAllister-Williams RH, Watson S

Publication type: Review

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Psychopharmacology

Year: 2003

Volume: 17

Issue: 4

Pages: 7-10

Print publication date: 01/12/2003

ISSN (print): 0269-8811

ISSN (electronic): 1461-7285

PubMed id: 14964625

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