Reducing the Delay in the Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder

A Qualitative Study

Bibliographic Data

ID19507947
AuthorsIsobel Hoppe (0009-0001-2593-3937, School of Medicine Keele University Keele UK), Stuart Watson (0000-0001-7228-3490, Translational and Clinical Research Institute Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne UK), Niraj Ahuja (0000-0002-4949-7893, Regional Affective Disorders Service, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust Newcastle upon Tyne UK), Lumbini Azim (0000-0003-3094-5366, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust Newcastle upon Tyne UK), Andrea Cipriani (0000-0001-5179-8321, University of Oxford Oxford UK), Emma Clark (0000-0001-8332-9052, Cumbria Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust), Jonathan Evans (0000-0002-9912-1704, Bristol University Bristol UK), Tania Gergel (0000-0001-9155-8277, Bipolar London UK), John Gibson (0000-0003-3886-6873, McPin Foundation London UK), Jennifer Hall (0000-0002-1097-9369, Newcastle University), Thomas Kabir (0000-0001-8908-0964, Department of Psychiatry University of Oxford Oxford UK), Ayesha Mathias (0000-0001-7852-6342, Cumbria Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust), N Nixon (0000-0002-7880-0118, School of Medicine University of Nottingham Nottingham UK), Prasad Prasad (0000-0001-5470-276X, University of Nottingham Nottingham UK), L Wall (Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne UK), Laurelie R Wall (Cumbria Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust), Carolyn A Chew-Graham (0000-0002-9722-9981, School of Medicine Keele University Keele UK, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume28
Issue4
Pagese70398-e70398
Publication date2025-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Expectations (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-6513 • E-ISSN: 1369-7625
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/hex.70398
PMID40842333
OpenAlexW4413435809
LanguageEN
References cited24

INTRODUCTION: Patients living with bipolar disorder in the UK face, on average, a delay of 9.5 years from initial presentation of symptoms to confirmation of diagnosis. The aim of this qualitative study was to understand the challenges and facilitators involved in diagnosing individuals with BD from the perspectives of GPs and psychiatrists and how the delay in diagnosis of BD from the first presentation might be reduced. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with clinicians (GPs and psychiatrists) were used to explore attitudes and perspectives towards diagnosing, managing, and accessing or delivering specialist opinion for BD within the current NHS systems and pathways. Thematic analysis was conducted. RESULTS: GPs report a lack of confidence in identifying BD due to limited understanding of the condition, resources, and lack of continuity of care. Both primary and secondary care clinicians expressed frustrations with the referral pathway in relation to high thresholds for secondary care acceptance and long waiting times for assessments. Clinicians suggest that further education and training in primary care supported by psychometric tools and mood diaries to improve identification of BD. Clinicians also advocated for enhanced communication and collaboration between primary and secondary care to streamline and reduce delays in the diagnostic process. CONCLUSION: We suggest a number of strategies which could reduce the harmful delay in diagnosis of bipolar. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: A Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) was convened with the support of the McPin Foundation. LEAP members have contributed towards the development of public-facing documents, including the topic guides, qualitative data analysis and dissemination of findings

Bipolar disorder · Mood · Psychiatry · Qualitative research · Sociology · Bipolar Disorder and Treatment · Computer Science · Electroconvulsive Therapy Studies · Psychology · Schizophrenia research and treatment

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