I would suggest that you also consult the DSM IV for reference and maybe even volunteering at a hospital which treats this condition as a way of seeing firsthand how it affects people. Also if you have permission form the clinical director you may want to ask the individual some of the warning signs directly. I have witnessed a client suffering from this disorder lose everything and almost their life, they were a college student, early 20’s and a 4.0 average in Pre-Law and now they are attempting to rebuild their life, slowly with the proper CBT and pharmacological interventions they will be able to do so.

Dear Blake,

Having two very important people in my life with bipolar disorder I would second to Gerry's suggestion about volunteering in a hosptial. I have had the pleasure of being invited in to many group(s) meetings of bipolar disorder. If you are near a hospitial it is possible to find out (if they do) who is running there group workshops and make contact for more information.

My access was not research based it was do to my family relationship. I woild also think you may want to be carfefull with using the phrase " experience their first episode while in college". From my limited readings and my personal lived experience (niether family member going to college) you might consider using the phrase "college age" or something to that effect.

Secondly, as you know here in the U.S. with our system of health care many people go miss diagnosed or have no access to health care. 

Last, I would suggest looking into the justice system for further information. From personal experience (our first information on bipolar disorder) came from the medical staff of a jail.

Hope this helps

Dear  Blake,

I think it depends what you are trying to find with the survey. You could adapt the MINI questionnaire which would pick up Bipolar 1 diagnsois and some Bipolar 2's. Adding in questions from the Hypomanic checklist would also cover episodes of brief hypomania which may not be detected through the MINI.

You also need to think through whether your study will identify people with a potential new diagnosis of bipolar disorder and if so what support/aftercare needs to be put in place for them.

If you're interested in studying the relatives of people with bipolar then a great way of contacting them would be through bipolar support groups.

Hope that helps

Paul

I would also recommend the hypomanic checklist or mood disorder questionnaire in terms of self report measures. The world health organisation has also developed a semi structured diagnostic interview designed for use by lay people. Good luck with the research!

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