Identifying bipolar disorder risk in young people with depression: piloting a novel multi-modal approach

Bipolar disorder is a severe mental illness where a young person’s mood can change dramatically, with periods of depression and mania or hypomania. During depression, people might feel very low, lose interest in things they usually enjoy, and withdraw from others. Mania or hypomania involves feeling very excited or irritable, being overly active, and having a higher sense of self-esteem. Bipolar disorder often starts in late adolescence or early adulthood, but a correct diagnosis can take up to a decade. Right now, the most common risk assessment relies on family history, that is an imprecise method.

Our study intends to test a new method for identifying bipolar disorder by looking at different thinking and behaviors patterns linked to manic episodes. Our approach includes mental imagery tasks designed to enhance mood, through imagining positive scenarios, and tasks assessing reward learning and decision making. We also track daily mood and activity patterns using the MindCraft  App. Our study will pilot this methodology on young people in the UK to distinguish between those who have a history of depression, but at risk for bipolar disorder, those who have already been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and those with a history of depression without bipolar traits.

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Aged 16 to 25 years
  • A diagnosis of bipolar disorder OR
  • Past/present depressive episode AND have a family history of bipolar disorder OR
  • Past/present depressive episode BUT have NO family history of bipolar disorder
  • Smartphone access
  • Be able to travel to Imperial College London for one in-person visit and attend an online session.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Acute suicidal thoughts requiring crisis support
  • Severe learning disability
  • Severe neurological impairment

You can find the protocol and data from B-MAP study here.

Getting involved:

If you have questions, need more information, or would like to express your interest, we encourage you to contact the study team and follow our Instagram page @mir_imperial 

Your participation could make a difference!