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