Simple Tasks
According to a national online survey sponsored by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare (NCCBH) and AstraZeneca (pharmaceutical company for bipolar medications), bipolar disorder affects the ability to manage housework and run errands for 73 percent and 59 percent of bipolar participants respectively.
Social Engagement
Nine out of 10 bipolar patients reported to the NCCBH that they had canceled social engagements due to their depressive bipolar episodes.
Communication
According to the NCCBH, patients with bipolar disorder have reported challenges with communicating to others, particularly their consulting physicians, which can negatively affect the treatment of their condition.
Job Performance
According to a survey conducted by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), 9 out of 10 bipolar patients believe that the disorder affects their performance at work; the result of which leads to less responsibility, less promotional opportunity and a feeling that they need to pursue new employment.
Relationships
The American Psychiatric Association's (APA) Practice Guideline for Treating Bipolar Disorder describes how the behavioral patters of the disorder make it more difficult to get along with other people and maintain good relationships overall: making the rate of divorce, for example, two to three times higher for bipolar patients.
Health
The APA highlights the interference that bipolar disorder can have on the daily self-maintenance of patients' health, including an increased likelihood that the patient will indulge in excessive alcohol or drug abuse, or engage in risky behavior that could cause harm to herself.
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