Citation

Lejeune SM. J. Am. Coll. Health 2011; 59(7): 666-669.

Affiliation

a MIT Medical Service , Cambridge , Massachusetts.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07448481.2010.528100

PMID

21823964

Abstract

Bipolar disorder is a relatively common mental disorder that often has its onset during the college years. This means that students simultaneously face both the challenge of late adolescent development and the challenge of adapting to a major mental illness. As a further complication, the college environment is not well suited to the kinds of lifestyle changes that add stability to the lives of people with bipolar disorder. Treatment involves establishing an alliance, education about lifestyle changes, aiding adaptation to the illness, careful medication to minimize side effects, and loosening the affective constriction that can result from fear of relapse. Both the health care provider and student can use the culture of learning and self-discovery in the college setting to the treatment's benefit. As well, the provider can use the time-limited nature of college to lessen ambivalence about making long-term changes.

Language: en