Bipolar -II Disorder

双相情感障碍（也称为躁狂抑郁症）是一种常见的精神健康问题，大约每50人中就有1人受到影响。双相情感障碍实际上有两种类型：双相情感障碍I型和双相情感障碍II型：双相情感障碍I型是典型的躁狂抑郁症，伴有兴高采烈和抑郁期。关于这种形式的双相情感障碍的研究越来越多，并且最好的治疗方案可能在短期和长期都有帮助。近年来，很明显，双相情感障碍的第二种形式，即双相情感障碍II型，实际上更为常见。（躁狂症的症状）不那么严重，抑郁的症状比双相I型更持久和致残。不幸的是，双相情感障碍几乎从来都不是研究的主要焦点，所以我们对这个问题是如何随着时间的推移而发展的认识存在重大差距，我们也不清楚最好的治疗方案。该项目拟寻求180名在医院和初级保健服务的双相情感障碍患者的合作。我们将研究这个问题的自然过程，例如使用自评日记，并通过邀请参与项目的人参加小型治疗试验，为他们提供接受新药物或心理治疗的机会。参与者及其护理人员将积极参与决定哪些研究是最重要的，以改善患者及其家属的生活质量。此外，个人和他们的家人将有机会参加关于双相情感障碍的介绍性会谈，让每个人都能分享关于这个问题的信息。研究人员还将提供一系列讲座，让参与研究的人了解项目的最新发现。

Bipolar Disorder (also called Manic Depression) is a common metal health problem that affects about 1 in 50 persons. There are actually two types of Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar I disorder and Bipolar II disorder: Bipolar I disorder is the classically described form of manic depression with periods of elation and depression. There is a large and growing body of research on this form of Bipolar Disorder and the best treatment options that may help in both the short-term and longer-term. In recent years it has become apparent that the second form of Bipolar Disorder, Bipolar II disorder is actually more common and, although the ?highs? (symptoms of mania) are less severe, the symptoms of depression are more persistent and disabling than in Bipolar I disorder. Unfortunately, Bipolar II disorder is hardly ever the main focus of research studies and so there are major gaps in our knowledge of how the problem develops over time and we are unclear about the best treatment options. This project proposes to seek the collaboration of 180 individuals with Bipolar II disorder attending both hospital and primary care services. We will study the natural course of this problem using e.g. self-rated diaries, as well as offering people involved in the project the opportunity to receive new medications or psychological treatments by inviting them to take part in small treatment trials. Participants and their carers will play an active part in deciding which studies are the most important to undertake in order to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. Also individuals and their families will be offered the opportunity to attend introductory talks about Bipolar II disorders to let everyone share information about this problem. A series of talks by the researchers will also be offered to keep people involved in the studies up to date with the findings of the project.