The rate of smoking in people with bipolar disorder is much greater than in the general population, but the implications of smoking for the course of bipolar disorder have not been well studied," Dr. Michael J. Ostacher, of Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, and colleagues write.The researchers studied the medical records of 399 outpatients who were treated in a bipolar specialty clinic from December 1999 to October 2004. The team used the Affective Disorders Evaluation and the Mini-Interventional Neuropsychiatric Interview to assess diagnosis, mood state, course of illness, functioning, and the presence of other psychiatric disorders.Overall, 155 (39 percent) of the subjects had a history of daily smoking.An association was observed between having ever smoked and earlier age at onset of first depressive or manic episode, lower Global Assessment of Functioning scores, and higher Clinical Global Impressions-Bipolar Disorder scale scores.Having ever smoked was also associated with a lifetime history of having made a suicide attempt (47 percent of smokers versus 25 percent of those who never smoked). Smokers were also more likely to have a history of comorbid disorders, including anxiety disorders, alcohol abuse and dependence, and substance abuse and dependence.On further analysis, a previous suicide attempt or a history of substance abuse both remained significantly associated with smoking.The fact that smoking remained associated with suicide attempts, even after consideration of the presence of other diseases and illness severity, "gives further evidence that there is a factor independent of mood, such as the impulsivity/aggression, associated with suicide, Ostacher and colleagues surmise."Whether this factor leads to the initiation of smoking in patients with bipolar disorder, or, instead, is a result of cigarette use itself cannot be answered by this study," they note.
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Smoking and Bipolar
EMERGENCY LINES
Dr Reddy's Help Line
0800 21 22 23
Cipla 24hr Mental Health Helpline
0800 456 789
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0800 20 50 26
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SMS 32312
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011 234 4837
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UNIVERSITY LINES
EMERGENCY Contact Numbers for Students in South Africa - Click here
MENTAL HEALTH CALENDAR 2021
Teen Suicide Prevention Week
14 - 21 February
World Bipolar Day
30 March
SA Bipolar Awareness Day
26 May
Substance Abuse Awareness Day
26 June
Mental Health Awareness Month
1 – 31 July
Panic Awareness Day
10 July
World Suicide Prevention Day
10 September
World Mental Health Day
10 October
World Mental Awareness Month
1 - 31 October
INFOGRAPHICS
SADAG KZN Branch
SADAG has an office in Durban with the support of Psychiatrist Dr Suvira Ramlall and Clinical Psychologist, Suntosh Pillay. Administrated by Lynn Norton
The KZN Branch is deeply committed to:
- Launching new Support Groups
- Workshops on Mental Health
- School Talks on Suicide Prevention
- Corporate Wellness For KZN companies
VOLUNTEERS
SUPPORT GROUPS
If you are interested in starting a Support Group, please contact Krystle on 0800 21 22 23.
To find a Support Group in your area, please phone SADAG on 0800 21 22 23.
Click here for more information