Investigation of Metacognition in Bipolar Disorder and its Association with Functional Outcome and Quality of Life

ELIGIBILITY: The UBC Mood Disorders Centre is looking for men and women diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder to participate in a cognitive research study.  Subjects may be eligible if they are:

• 19 – 55 years old
• Currently clinically stable
• No history of major neurological or medical disorder affecting cognition
• No current substance abuse in the past month

SUMMARY: The purpose of this study is to evaluate two major types of cognitive abilities in subjects with bipolar disorder, and to determine whether these cognitive skills predict different levels of daily functioning and subject-rated quality of life.  The two types of cognitive skills that will be assessed include: 1) traditional cognitive skills such as memory, attention, and problem solving; and 2) metacognitive skills, which include tasks that ask subjects to rate their perceived level of performance on cognitive tasks.  Subjects will also be asked to describe their daily functioning (e.g., work, school, home life) and to rate their overall quality of life. As part of this information, we may ask to contact a family member or collateral to help further understand a subject’s level of daily functioning. It is hoped that this study will contribute to the understanding of variables that underlie daily patient functioning and quality of life, and aid in the development of future treatments that improve these skills and overall patient functioning.

CONTACT:  For more information please call Sylvia Mackala: (604) 822-7954 | E-mail: sylvia.mackala@ubc.ca

Quality of Life in Bipolar Disorder (QoL.BD), a disorder-specific instrument to assess quality of life in bipolar disorder

1. are over the age of 19
2. have a diagnosis of BD (type I or II)
3. are able to communicate in English (all questionnaires are in English only)

Stigma Study: Family Members of People with Mental Illness

Stigma can have serious negative effects on people with mental illness and their family members.

We are developing a questionnaire to assess internalized stigma in first-degree family members (parents, brothers, sisters, and children) of people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder.

The questionnaire will gather information about stigma in family members of people with mental illness and, in the long run, will be used with the goal of improving coping skills and enhancing the overall well-being of the family network.

If you have a parent, sister, brother, or child with one of the mental illnesses mentioned above, and would like more information about participating in this study, please contact Prescilla Carrion at mental.illness@ubc.ca or by phone 604-875-2000 ext. 4736.

PLEASE NOTE: You CAN participate if you have a mental illness yourself, as long as you also have a first-degree family member with one.

Mental Health & Pregnancy Study

We are conducting a research study that aims to understand why some women develop postpartum depression or psychosis and others don’t. The research is designed to test the idea that a genetic variation together with folate levels in a woman’s blood can influence her risk for postpartum depression. The aim of the research is to find ways to help reduce women’s risk for postpartum depression by using nutritional supplements.

Women who are pregnant (at any stage of pregnancy), and who have a history of mental health problems, are being recruited to participate in the study. Participating involves meeting with a researcher 4 times: once during the pregnancy, and 3 times over the first 3 months of the postpartum period. The researchers can offer some reimbursement for travel to participate in the research at either St. Paul’s or Children’s and Women’s Hospitals. Alternatively, study visits can be conducted at participants’ homes or by email / phone.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Prescilla Carrion at 604-875-2000 ext. 4736 or by email at mental.illness@ubc.ca.