Characteristics and processes in bipolar disorder presentation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Everyday experiences of verbal thoughts and mental images in individuals with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder
IRAS ID
161058
Contact name
Rose Oldham-Cooper
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bath
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 20 days
Research summary
Bipolar disorder involves periods of intense low mood (depression) and high mood (mania), together with periods of relatively stable mood (euthymia). Research has suggested that 'intrusive cognitions' (verbal thoughts and ‘mental images’ that occur without intention or deliberation) might play a role in the development and maintenance of an episode of elevated or depressed mood in bipolar disorder. Researchers interested in these 'intrusive cognitions' have generally asked people to report on their past experiences (retrospective recall). This approach is potentially problematic because people's memories for past experiences of intrusive cognitions might be affected by how they are feeling when they are asked, how long ago the experience happened, and what has happened since.
Another problem with ‘retrospective recall’ is that it doesn't allow us to understand whether 'intrusive cognitions' lead to the difficulties associated with bipolar disorder, or whether they happen as a result of bipolar disorder. This is important because many recent theories suggest that intrusive thoughts or images may cause symptoms associated with bipolar disorder.
This study aims to assess the everyday occurrence of intrusive verbal thoughts and mental images in individuals with bipolar disorder, as well as healthy ‘controls’ (people who do not have bipolar disorder). Participants will be recruited from the general public and NHS sites in the South West by written advertisements. A diary method will be used, with people making a record of their verbal thoughts and mental images twice-daily for one week.
The study is important because we do not yet understand whether people can report ‘in the moment’ on intrusive thoughts and images. We might also begin to understand how often these occur in day-to-day life, and whether people with bipolar disorder have them more often or have more intense experiences of them compared to healthy controls.REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
15/WS/0158
Date of REC Opinion
6 Oct 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion