Identity in bipolar disorder: Self-worth and achievement

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychiatry
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe mental illness characterized by mood swings.
• While biological factors are significant, psychological and social influences also shape BD symptom progression.
• Understanding the self and self-concept is crucial for comprehending the lived experience of BD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the multifaceted nature of self and identity in individuals with bipolar disorder.
• To examine the relationship between goal pursuit, ambition, and self-worth in BD.
• To investigate the unique identity challenges arising from these psychological factors in BD.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on goal pursuit in bipolar disorder.
• Analysis of findings related to self-worth and success in individuals with BD.
• Integration of self-report, behavioral, and neuroscience data.

Main Results:

• Individuals with BD exhibit heightened ambitions and a strong drive for recognition.
• Self-worth among those with BD is disproportionately contingent on measurable achievements.
• The interplay between high ambition and extreme success-dependency presents distinct identity challenges.

Conclusions:

• The heightened pursuit of goals and extreme reliance on success for self-worth contribute to complex identity issues in bipolar disorder.
• These psychological dynamics may influence the course and management of the disorder.
• Further research integrating diverse methodologies is needed to fully understand self-concept in BD.