Home ❯ Insight

Insight

What is insight in bipolar disorder?

Insight is defined as the awareness of having a mental disorder. This includes having an understanding of the social consequences associated with the disorder; the need for treatment; effects of medication; awareness of the implications; and awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disorder. Insight increases adherence to treatment as patients who lack insight may not believe they need for medication.

What is the evidence on insight in people with bipolar disorder?

Moderate to high quality evidence finds people in an acute mania phase with psychotic features who had poor or no insight prior to antipsychotic treatment showed greater improvements in symptoms with treatment than those in an acute mania phase with psychotic features who had excellent insight prior to antipsychotic administration. Review authors say this finding was unexpected, and suggest the level of insight in an acute mania episode is an important determinant of short-term treatment response.

October 2021

Image: ©Photomorphic Pte Ltd – stock.adobe.com

Last updated at: 2:28 pm, 22nd February 2022
To view documentation related to this topic download the files below
Fact Sheet Technical Commentary
Tags:  Insight

NeuRA Libraries

Title Colour Legend:
Green - Topic summary is available.
Orange - Topic summary is being compiled.
Red - Topic summary has no current systematic review available.