Manic depression thought to affect 8,000 Maltese

Statistics show that about two per cent of the population suffer from bipolar disorder, or manic depression, which can be translated into about 8,000 Maltese.

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong and potentially fatal illness, characterised by disruptive mood swings between high and low states. However, only about 30 per cent of sufferers are diagnosed correctly. This is because they visit their doctors only in the depressive - and not the manic - phases of the disorder, Richmond Foundation CEO Doris Gauci explained.

Other statistics show that about 20 per cent of patients with bipolar disorder, particularly in the depressed phase of the illness, commit suicide.

Ms Gauci was addressing the Richmond Foundation's launch yesterday of the first Bipolar Disorder Patient Charter, with the collaboration of Gamian - Europe (Global Alliance of Mental Illness Advocacy Network), a not-for-profit international network of organisations and individuals concerned about mental health and representing 73 national organisations in 32 European countries.

The document, Bipolar Disorder: A Call to Action, appeals for worldwide improvements in patient care, public awareness, treatments and education in bipolar disorder.

The initiative is the first of its kind in Malta in the field of bipolar disorder and the foundation hopes to facilitate and encourage individuals and groups worldwide to advocate for those suffering from the disorder, Ms Gauci said.

The charter is a tool that should serve to raise awareness of bipolar disorder, particularly the dangers of bipolar depression, and improve the lives of patients and their relatives.

"Raising awareness about bipolar disorder among patients, relatives and doctors is crucial to ensure that they are receiving the best care possible," Ms Gauci said.

Bipolar disorder is chronically under-recognised, under-diagnosed and under-treated, she continued.

On average, it takes five to seven years before an accurate diagnosis is made, primarily because many patients are initially misdiagnosed as having clinical depression.

Effective management of bipolar depression has been identified as the greatest unmet medical need in patients with bipolar disorder, she said.

The charter addresses the crucial issues faced by bipolar patients and their friends and families, who often take on the role of carers. It outlines steps to improve dialogue between patients and providers, which can lead to improvements in the overall management of the illness.

Non-compliance with therapy is often a problem with bipolar disorder patients because of side effects and concerns about taking medication long term. They may also refuse to take their medication when they start to feel better, not realising that they need their medication to feel better.

Patients do not always fully understand their medication and may not always receive the most appropriate therapy, Ms Gauci said.

The charter explains what patients should expect from medication and what healthcare professionals should deliver when it comes to the management of their condition.

It can also help to minimise the stigma associated with bipolar disorder, the foundation's chairman, Anthony Guillaumier, said.

The charter, which is already available in a number of languages, was translated into Maltese with the support of GlaxoSmith-Kline and is the first to address bipolar disorder from the patient's point of view, Mr Guillaumier said.

The foundation intended to use the document to lobby local government and raise awareness. It also launched a bookmark with a list of symptoms to promote taking action and finding a cure, the chairman explained.

Speaking at the launch at the Corinthia San Gorg Hotel, the Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly and Community care, Helen D'Amato, insisted on the importance of an inclusive society, saying that the stigma surrounding mental health was its "greatest enemy".

She appealed to employees to be more open to persons with mental health problems.

Gamian president Rodney Elgie stressed on an effective partnership between the various related parties.

A seminar for patients on a holistic approach to the treatment of bipolar disorder, supported by GlaxoSmithKline, is being held today.

The Richmond Foundation is a non-governmental, non-profit-making organisation working in the field of mental health.