This post is the second of a part of a three-part series where PhD student Nathalie Sagar will document her dissertation research about hereditary bipolar disorder, titled Stories of Second Generation Intergenerational Bipolar disorder. This research is supervised by the primary investigator, Dr. William McKee.

Last June, I authored this blog post introducing my dissertation research investigating second generation bipolar disorder. In this research study, I plan to explore the stories of people living with intergenerational bipolar disorder. The purpose of the study is to provide a rich and broad understanding that can more accurately capture the diverse experiences associated with living with intergenerational bipolar disorder.

Recruitment has started!

I am excited to announce that I am now ready to begin recruiting participants for this study! I am looking for adults with a diagnosis of type one or type two bipolar disorder to participate in this research study.

Here are the requirements to participate:

• Are you an adult over 19?
• Are you the genetic child of an individual diagnosed with type one or type two bipolar disorder?
• Do you or a genetic sibling also have a diagnosis of type one or type two bipolar disorder? 
• Are you willing to share your story?

If you answered yes to these questions, you may be eligible to participate. Participation will involve you participating in four interviews either in person or online, ranging from half an hour to two hours in length.

Your experience is important; it can help us to better understand the lived experiences of intergenerational bipolar disorder!

Please let me know if you are interested in participating or have any questions!

Contact me (Nathalie), at nsagar01@student.ubc.ca.

If this project is of interest to you, sign up for the CREST.BD newsletter for updates as the study progresses!

About Nathalie Sagar, M.A.

I am a PhD student in the School and Applied Child Psychology program at UBC. Through this program I have received training and experience in working and supporting the mental well-being of children and their parents through providing supports such as conducting diagnostic assessments and providing counselling. As an individual with a salient family history of bipolar disorder I am motivated to better understand the experiences of family members of those who have bipolar disorder, beyond the numbers.

If you have any questions about the project you can email me at nsagar01@student.ubc.ca