| Unfortunately, many people with bipolar symptoms | | | | In recent years, the National Institute of Mental |
| are unable to get the treatment, medications and | | | | Health (NIMH) has introduced a new generation of |
| support they require due to financial difficulties. There | | | | "real-world" clinical studies. They are called "real-world" |
| is an option, however. | | | | studies for several reasons. Unlike traditional clinical |
| Some people with bipolar disorder receive medication | | | | trials, they offer multiple different treatments and |
| and/or psychosocial therapy at no charge by | | | | treatment combinations. |
| volunteering to participate in clinical studies (clinical | | | | In addition, they aim to include large numbers of |
| trials). Clinical studies involve the scientific investigation | | | | people with mental disorders living in communities |
| of illness and treatment of illness in humans. | | | | throughout the U.S. and receiving treatment across a |
| Clinical studies in mental health can yield information | | | | wide variety of settings. Individuals with more than |
| about the usefullness of a medication or a | | | | one mental disorder, as well as those with |
| combination of treatments, the efficacy of a | | | | co-occurring physical illnesses, are encouraged to |
| behavioral intervention or type of psychotherapy, the | | | | consider participating in these new studies. |
| reliability of a diagnostic procedure, or the success of | | | | The main goal of the real-world studies is to improve |
| a prevention method. | | | | treatment strategies and outcomes for all people |
| Clinical studies also guide scientists in learning how | | | | with these disorders. |
| illness develops, progresses, lessens, and affects both | | | | In addition to measuring improvement in illness |
| mind and body. Millions of Americans diagnosed with | | | | symptoms, the studies will evaluate how treatments |
| mental illness lead healthy, productive lives because | | | | influence other important, real-world issues such as |
| of information discovered through clinical studies. | | | | quality of life, ability to work, and social functioning. |
| These studies are not always right for everyone, | | | | They also will assess the cost-effectiveness of |
| however. It is important for each individual to | | | | different treatments and factors that affect how |
| consider carefully the possible risks and benefits of a | | | | well people stay on their treatment plans. |
| clinical study before making a decision to participate. | | | | |