March 28, 2018  Print

We invite you to a community information seminar and morning tea on 28 March to mark World Bipolar Day, aiming to bring awareness to bipolar disorders and eliminate social stigma. 

This FREE community event is open to all, especially those with a particular interest in bipolar disorder. The event will include a Q&A panel discussion, led by Dr Mayuresh Korgaonkar, group leader of the Bipolar Disorder Group. The panel discussion is an amazing opportunity to learn more about bipolar disorder, and talk to leading researchers and clinicians in mood disorders.

We will also participate in the symbolic bubble event, Blow Bubbles for Bipolar. The bubble is a metaphor for bipolar: when a person is ‘manic’ their mood can be described as bubbly, active and euphoric, but when depressed or ‘low’ their mood falls and pops like a bubble.

Join us on 28 March and help us eliminate the social stigma associated with bipolar.

Speakers

  • Dr Prashanth Mayur, Senior Staff Psychiatrist of the Mood Disorders Unit in Cumberland Hospital
  • Professor Gin Malhi, Executive and Clinic Director of the CADE Clinic
  • Cathy Kearney, Head of Cumberland Bipolar Support Group and Social Worker
  • Dr Mayuresh Korgaonkar, Director of the Brain Dynamics Centre and the Chief Investigator of the Bipolar Study at WIMR
  • Dr Greg de Moore, Conjoint Associate Professor from the School of Medicine at Western Sydney University
  • Dr Ramesh Vannitamby, Psychiatrist from Northside West Clinic, and staff specialist from Cumberland Hospital

Event details

Date: Wednesday 28 March

Time: 10:00-11:30am

Venue: The Westmead Institute

For more information or to RSVP, please email wenting.chen@sydney.edu.au

Bipolar disorder facts

  • Bipolar disorder is the sixth leading cause of disability in Australia, and is considered one of the world’s most debilitating illnesses.
  • Approximately 1 in 50 Australians will suffer from an episode of bipolar disorder in their lifetime.
  • People with bipolar disorder have a significantly greater risk of suicide than the general population
  • Bipolar disorder is frequently misdiagnosed as major depressive disorder, which can cause lengthy delays in appropriate treatment.
  • People with bipolar disorder experience extreme moods. The highs can sometimes feel like your brakes have failed and that you are going too far and too fast. The lows or depressive episodes can be extremely difficult and emotionally painful, sometimes leading to suicidal thoughts.
  • Some people may have bipolar disorder with seasonal pattern, meaning that their mood disorders are thought to be triggered during certain seasons.
  • With appropriate treatment, bipolar disorder can be successfully managed. 

 

More information about biopolar disorder can be found on the Bipolar Australia website