双極性障害に関するインターネットによる認知度調査

An Internet-Based Survey on Awareness of Bipolar Disorder

抄録

　双極性障害(躁うつ病)について，日本における一般住民の認知度，疾患に対するイメージ，および社会的距離について，また双極性障害の具体的な症例を各病相で提示し，各病相に対する認識についてインターネットを利用して調査した。「双極性障害」については72.8％が「聞いたことがない，知らない」と回答し，双極性障害の疾患としての認知度が低いことが示唆された。さらに社会的に否定的な態度やイメージを持たれている現状が示されるとともに，躁状態はうつ状態に比較し，病気として認識されにくい傾向が認められた。双極性障害が適切に診断・治療され，長期的な転帰を改善するためには，当事者や関係者だけでなく，広く一般住民における疾患の認知(適切な病相の認識)と理解が必要であると考えられた。

　An Internet-based survey was conducted with Japanese citizens to determine the extent of knowledge/awareness, the image, and the social distance regarding bipolar disorder (manic-depressive-illness), as well as the recognition of each disease phase when concrete cases were presented. Among 1,294 responders, 72.8% had not heard the term “bipolar disorder” before or had no knowledge about the disease, suggesting that awareness of bipolar disorder in the general population is low. The survey additionally revealed that there are prevailing negative stereotypes or images about this disease and that compared to the depressive phase, the manic phase of this disease was less likely to be perceived as a sickness. On the basis of these results, we conclude that social campaigns to facilitate awareness (appropriate recognition of disease phases) and understanding of bipolar disorder among the general population, patients/family members, and those involved in care are needed so that bipolar disorder can be appropriately diagnosed and treated and its long-term outcome can be improved.