CARN Student Seminar Series: Mental Health

October is Mental Health Month, and we will be hearing from two amazing up-and-coming young researchers:

Anna Wrobel: Bipolar Disorder, Trauma and Treatment

“It is not the bruises on the body that hurt. It is the wounds of the heart and the scars on the mind” Aisha Mirza.

A history of trauma is frequently reported by individuals with bipolar disorder and increases the disorder’s severity and complexity. For example, it is related to an earlier onset, more recurrent episodes, and a greater risk of suicide attempts. Whilst the link between trauma and bipolar disorder has been recognised for some time, research into the effect of trauma on the treatment bipolar disorder remains to be fully investigated.

Join PhD student Anna Wrobel as she explains her research exploring how exposure to trauma affects the treatment outcomes of people with bipolar disorder, and how her research may lead to more tailored interventions and improved recovery for people with bipolar disorder and a history of trauma.

Samantha Russell: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Bipolar Disorder and Medication

People with bipolar disorder can often also experience post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Those who experience both of these conditions may not recover to the same level as those with either condition alone. So if a person needs treatment, including medication, what do you treat? The bipolar disorder? The PTSD? Both?

Join PhD student Samantha Russell as she presents her research program that aims to understand which medications influence staying well in people with both bipolar disorder and PTSD. Samantha’s research objectives are to understand the patient experience of taking medication for both bipolar disorder and PTSD, identify barriers and make recommendations for future treatment, which will ultimately lead to improved outcomes and quality of life amongst people experiencing both bipolar disorder and PTSD.