Suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms among bipolar patients as predictors of the health and well-being of caregivers.
OBJECTIVE
Few studies have addressed the physical and mental health effects of caring for a family member with bipolar disorder. This study examined whether caregivers' health is associated with changes in suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms among bipolar patients observed over one year.


METHODS
Patients (N = 500) participating in the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder and their primary caregivers (N = 500, including 188 parental and 182 spousal caregivers) were evaluated for up to one year as part of a naturalistic observational study. Caregivers' perceptions of their own physical health were evaluated using the general health scale from the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey. Caregivers' depression was evaluated using the Center for Epidemiological Studies of Depression Scale.


RESULTS
Caregivers of patients who had increasing suicidal ideation over time reported worsening health over time compared to caregivers of patients whose suicidal ideation decreased or stayed the same. Caregivers of patients who had more suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms reported more depressed mood over a one-year reporting period than caregivers of patients with less suicidal ideation or depression. The pattern of findings was consistent across parent caregivers and spousal caregivers.


CONCLUSIONS
Caregivers, rightly concerned about patients becoming suicidal or depressed, may try to care for the patient at the expense of their own health and well-being. Treatments that focus on the health of caregivers must be developed and tested.
Chessick
Cheryl A
CA
Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Denver, CO 80045, USA. cheryl.chessick@ucdenver.edu
Perlick
Deborah A
DA
Miklowitz
David J
DJ
Dickinson
L Miriam
LM
Allen
Michael H
MH
Morris
Chad D
CD
Gonzalez
Jodi M
JM
Marangell
Lauren B
LB
Cosgrove
Victoria
V
Ostacher
Michael
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D057189:Checklist / Q000379:methods; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019370:Observation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult