Lack of Awareness and Cultural Stigmas May Prevent Many Latinos from Seeking Treatment for Bipolar Disorder

“More than seven million American adults are affected by bipolar disorder§, a serious psychiatric condition also known as manic depressive disorder.[1] [2] With an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment, bipolar disorder can be managed.[3] But Latinos often encounter cultural barriers that may prevent them from seeking help and treatment for bipolar disorder. In fact, according to a report from the U.S. Surgeon General on Hispanic Americans and mental health, fewer than one in 11 Hispanic Americans with a mental disorder contact mental health specialists, while fewer than one in five contact general health care providers.[4]

“Despite cultural stigmas associated with mental illness in the Hispanic community, it’s imperative that Latinos understand the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder, and how misdiagnosis or lack of treatment can have a devastating affect on individuals and their families,” said Daniel B. Martinez, MD, director of medical services at Pilsen-Little Village Community Mental Health Center in Chicago. “Awareness is the first step, and then we must encourage Latinos to talk to their doctors, friends, and families about bipolar disorder.”

Bipolar disorder causes a person’s mood to alternate between the “poles” of mania highs and depression lows. The symptoms of bipolar disorder are more severe than the normal ups and downs of everyday life. For most people with bipolar disorder, the depressive symptoms are often the most debilitating ad can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance and even suicide.[3]

But because the depressive symptoms associated with bipolar disorder are also seen in major depressive disorder, a proper diagnosis can be difficult to achieve. In fact, studies show that as many as 69 percent of people with bipolar disorder were misdiagnosed, with the most frequent misdiagnosis being major depressive disorder. This misdiagnosis can lead to unfocused treatment that may exacerbate the disease.[5]

Additionally, once individuals are diagnosed with a disease, treatment plans that include multiple medications may prevent them from sticking to their medication routine. Toward this point, a recent survey of 500 Americans with bipolar disorder suggests that 93 percent of respondents have modified their medication routine in some way without consulting a physician.[6]

But there is good news for people with bipolar disorder: the U.S. Food and Drug Administration FDA recently approved SEROQUELR quetiapine fumarate for the treatment of patients with depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder. SEROQUEL is now the first and only single medication approved by the FDA to treat both depressive and manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder.[7] Treatment adherence is an important factor in the management of bipolar disorder.[3]

“The new indication for SEROQUEL will provide physicians and their patients with a new option for treating both the depressive and manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder,” said Mark Scott, executive director–development for SEROQUEL, AstraZeneca. “Utilizing a single medication for the treatment of both acute phases of bipolar disorder may help patients stick to their treatment plan.”

SEROQUEL already is approved for the treatment of acute manic episodes associated with bipolar I disorder and for the treatment of schizophrenia. SEROQUEL is the #1 prescribed atypical antipsychotic in the United States.[8] With a well-established safety and efficacy profile, SEROQUEL has had more than 19 million patient exposures worldwide since its launch in 1997. In 2005, global sales for SEROQUEL reached $2.8 billion. “

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