Bipolar Disorder and the Brain
Jessica Whelan, DNP, APRN, FPMHNP-BC
Jessica Whelan, DNP, APRN, FPMHNP-BC discusses the value of understanding the neurobiology behind bipolar disorder and how she explains it to her patients.
This resource is intended for educational purposes only and is intended for US healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals should use independent medical judgment. All decisions regarding patient care must be handled by a healthcare professional and be made based on the unique needs of each patient.
NP Psych Navigator is sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs. The contributor is a paid consultant for AbbVie Inc. and was compensated for their time.
ABBV-US-00426-MC, V2.0
Approved 02/2024
AbbVie Medical Affairs
Relationships with coworkers, friends, and acquaintances may also be affected by depressive symptoms. People with major depressive disorder can miss work due to their illness and, when at work, may perform responsibilities poorly or ineffectively due to their condition.26 In a survey from 2001–2003, people with major depressive disorder lost an average of 27.2 workdays—8.7 days were due to absenteeism and 18.2 days from presenteeism.29 Problems with memory, attention, and executive function are also associated with lower wages and unemployment.26,28 Patients with major depressive disorder may have difficulty extricating themselves from their own thoughts and, as a result, may appear self-focused and disinterested in social activities and forging bonds with others.30 Along with a diminished ability to read nonverbal cues from other people, they may come across as insensitive and have few friends.30
Caregivers such as family and friends of people with major depressive disorder can also be negatively impacted. This unpaid informal work can be time consuming and emotionally challenging,31 possibly leading to lost income and health insurance due to reduced work hours.32 In addition, they may experience fatigue, distress, and poor sleep, and may develop depressive symptoms themselves.3
Relationships with coworkers, friends, and acquaintances may also be affected by depressive symptoms. People with major depressive disorder can miss work due to their illness and, when at work, may perform responsibilities poorly or ineffectively due to their condition.26 In a survey from 2001–2003, people with major depressive disorder lost an average of 27.2 workdays—8.7 days were due to absenteeism and 18.2 days from presenteeism.29 Problems with memory, attention, and executive function are also associated with lower wages and unemployment.26,28 Patients with major depressive disorder may have difficulty extricating themselves from their own thoughts and, as a result, may appear self-focused and disinterested in social activities and forging bonds with others.30 Along with a diminished ability to read nonverbal cues from other people, they may come across as insensitive and have few friends.30
Caregivers such as family and friends of people with major depressive disorder can also be negatively impacted. This unpaid informal work can be time consuming and emotionally challenging,31 possibly leading to lost income and health insurance due to reduced work hours.32 In addition, they may experience fatigue, distress, and poor sleep, and may develop depressive symptoms themselves.32
Relationships with coworkers, friends, and acquaintances may also be affected by depressive symptoms. People with major depressive disorder can miss work due to their illness and, when at work, may perform responsibilities poorly or ineffectively due to their condition.26 In a survey from 2001–2003, people with major depressive disorder lost an average of 27.2 workdays—8.7 days were due to absenteeism and 18.2 days from presenteeism.29 Problems with memory, attention, and executive function are also associated with lower wages and unemployment.26,28 Patients with major depressive disorder may have difficulty extricating themselves from their own thoughts and, as a result, may appear self-focused and disinterested in social activities and forging bonds with others.30 Along with a diminished ability to read nonverbal cues from other people, they may come across as insensitive and have few friends.30
Caregivers such as family and friends of people with major depressive disorder can also be negatively impacted. This unpaid informal work can be time consuming and emotionally challenging,31 possibly leading to lost income and health insurance due to reduced work hours.32 In addition, they may experience fatigue, distress, and poor sleep, and may develop depressive symptoms themselves.3
Relationships with coworkers, friends, and acquaintances may also be affected by depressive symptoms. People with major depressive disorder can miss work due to their illness and, when at work, may perform responsibilities poorly or ineffectively due to their condition.26 In a survey from 2001–2003, people with major depressive disorder lost an average of 27.2 workdays—8.7 days were due to absenteeism and 18.2 days from presenteeism.29 Problems with memory, attention, and executive function are also associated with lower wages and unemployment.26,28 Patients with major depressive disorder may have difficulty extricating themselves from their own thoughts and, as a result, may appear self-focused and disinterested in social activities and forging bonds with others.30 Along with a diminished ability to read nonverbal cues from other people, they may come across as insensitive and have few friends.30
Caregivers such as family and friends of people with major depressive disorder can also be negatively impacted. This unpaid informal work can be time consuming and emotionally challenging,31 possibly leading to lost income and health insurance due to reduced work hours.32 In addition, they may experience fatigue, distress, and poor sleep, and may develop depressive symptoms themselves.32
