Help needed for study into bipolar

Oldham people with bipolar disorder are being asked to take part in the biggest ever study of the condition of its kind.

The Manchester mental health and social care trust has secured a £2 million grant from the National Institute of Health Research to carry out the work.

It is the body’s first major award to fund a study into bipolar disorder, and researchers want 72 people from Oldham and the rest of Greater Manchester who have been diagnosed with the condition to take part.

The study is aimed at people who either experience anxiety or who use alcohol regularly, or both.

It involves a newly-developed psychological intervention, which will be used for some, while others continue to get their usual treatment.

Those randomly selected for the new intervention will get regular one-to-one therapy sessions for up to six months, either in their own homes or another place where they feel comfortable.

Anyone who wants to take part must be aged 18 or over and have a diagnoses of bipolar disorder. The deadline for applying is June, 2012.

For the alcohol-related study contact Lucy Bateman on 0161-275 8498 or 07553 388 373 or email lucy.bateman@nhs.net  
 
For the anxiety project contact Kay Hampshire on 01524 593541 or 07553388378 or email: k.hampshire@lancaster.ac.uk or Elly McGrath on 01524 592977 or 07587880631 or email e.mcgrath@lancaster.ac.uk