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How is migrant status related to bipolar disorder?

The term “migrant” usually refers to first generation migrants – people with a foreign birth place, and studies have assessed whether migration is related to risk of bipolar disorder.

Any association observed between migrant status and increased risk of mental disorders has stimulated a great deal of explanatory hypotheses, including additional stress relating to migration and settling into a new country, and possible issues with discrimination. Other explanations include a tendency for at-risk individuals to migrate, and underlying genetic variances across cultures.

What is the evidence for migrant status as a risk factor for bipolar disorder?

Moderate quality evidence finds a small increase in the risk of bipolar disorder or affective psychosis after migration.

October 2021

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Last updated at: 3:59 pm, 21st April 2022
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Fact Sheet Technical Commentary
Tags:  Migrants

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