A new study reveals that over 40% of individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder were symptom-free, and about a quarter achieved complete mental health. The research, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, highlights the importance of having a trusted confidant in achieving this mental health milestone. Despite these encouraging findings, the University of Toronto study notes that people with a history of mental health conditions still face greater challenges in flourishing compared to their peers.
The study emphasizes that factors like adopting spirituality as a coping mechanism and the absence of chronic pain significantly predict psychological flourishing. Researchers compared 555 Canadians with a history of bipolar disorder to 20,530 respondents without such a history, focusing on their daily social and psychological well-being, happiness, and life satisfaction. The authors suggest that interventions fostering supportive environments, strengthening social bonds, enhancing coping mechanisms, and addressing physical health issues can empower individuals with bipolar disorder towards recovery.
The research also found a higher prevalence of complete mental health among married individuals, older respondents, those with higher income, and those without a history of drug or alcohol abuse. Esme Fuller-Thomson, a professor at the University of Toronto, expressed hope that these findings would encourage those with bipolar disorder, noting that a significant portion of respondents who had previously struggled with the disorder were now happy or satisfied with their lives almost every day.
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