FED: Bipolar costs $1.6 bill a year
A national analysis says the condition formerly known as manic depression costs Australia$1.6 billion a year.
The Access Economics report has found the total cost to the health system of the mooddisorder, which afflicts 100,000 Australians, is $300 million each year, with indirectcosts coming to $1.3 billion.
Report author LYNNE PEZZULLO says the breakdown means 80 per cent of the cost of bipolardisorder is being shouldered by people with the illness and their families and carers.
Ms PEZZULLO warns the costs are set to rise unless the mental illness is diagnosedearlier and treated more effectively.
She says bipolar depression, which is characterised by mood swings alternating betweenmanic highs and plummeting lows, has only 60 per cent of people receiving treatment.
Ms PEZZULLO says there are high rates of misdiagnosis and it usually takes four doctorsand ten years to get a correct diagnosis.
AAP RTV jjs/rsm/rp
KEYWORD: BIPOLAR (SYDNEY)
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