Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder
Published on: May 2, 2025
Inadequate treatment of black Americans with bipolar disorder
Objective:
This study examined disparity in bipolar disorder treatment for black and white Americans.
Methods:
The sample included 167 respondents to the National Comorbidity Survey Replication who had lifetime type I or II bipolar disorder. Treatment adequacy and potential correlates were assessed.
Results:
No black respondent received minimally adequate mood-stabilizing treatment, and blacks were less likely than whites to have taken a mood stabilizer in the prior year. Service use, sociodemographic characteristics, and symptom expression did not explain this disparity.
Conclusions:
There was substantial racial inequality in bipolar disorder treatment. Issues guiding this disparity may be unique to this disorder, and clarification of the source of disparity is needed.
Related Concept Videos
Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview
Bipolar Disorder
Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy
Drug Therapy
Antianxiety Medications
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Depression: Overview

