Twelve-month prevalence and impact of DSM-IV bipolar disorder in an Australian general population survey

  • Professor Philip Mitchell, University of New South Wales, Australia
  • Ms Amy Johnston, University of New South Wales, Australia
  • Dr Timothy Slade, University of New South Wales, Australia
  • Mr Andrew Frankland, University of New South Wales, Australia
  • Dr Melissa Green, University of New South Wales, Aruba
  • Dr Gloria Roberts, University of New South Wales, Australia
  • Ms Justine Corry, University of New South Wales, Australia
  • Mr Dusan Hadzi-Pavlovic, University of New South Wales, Australia

Objectives: To report on the prevalence and impact of bipolar disorder in an Australian general population sample, and compare this with patients with major depressive disorder.

Methods: Data were taken from the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Well-Being, a nationally representative survey of 8,841 Australian adults. Participants who met DSM-IV criteria for bipolar disorder in the past 12 months were identified, and compared to those with major depressive disorder, and the remainder of the sample.

Results: The lifetime population prevalence for bipolar disorder was 1.3% (bipolar I, 0.7%; bipolar II, 0.6%) with a 12-month population prevalence of 0.9% (bipolar I, 0.5%; bipolar II, 0.4%). The bipolar population showed evidence of considerable impact on relationships, career, and income earning capacity. Most had never been in a long-term relationship (65.7%) or were divorced/separated (20.2%), 15.8% were unemployed and 36.1% were on government benefits. Rates of comorbidity were high, especially for anxiety (62.5%) and substance use (24.5%) disorders. Nearly 10% reported at least one suicide attempt in the past 12 months. Two-thirds (67.7%) reported some contact with a mental health professional. Compared to those with major depressive disorder, the bipolar population was younger, less likely to be in a relationship, showed higher rates of comorbidity (specifically panic disorders and drug use disorders), were more likely to smoke tobacco, and to have attempted suicide in the previous 12 months.

Conclusions: This Australian data highlighted the considerable functional impairment associated with bipolar disorder, even when compared with major depressive disorder.