With World Bipolar Day (March 30) approaching, our recent publication in Bipolar Disorders offers a critical reminder: we are decades behind in early intervention for bipolar disorder and young people are paying the price.
Our international study interviewed 28 global experts and found:
- Delayed and missed diagnoses are common
- Inconsistent definitions of early stage BD
- Underfunded services and workforce gaps
- Limited evidence based treatments tailored for youth
- Families overlooked, even though they are key to early detection
- Fragmented global research efforts
We need consensus, workforce training, service reform, and coordinated research investment.
As we mark World Bipolar Day, the question is simple:
Are our systems ready to recognise and treat bipolar disorder early, consistently, and effectively?
Because the evidence is undeniable: Act early, and we can change lives
Read our paper here:
https://doi.org/10.1111/bdi.70091
