Taken together , the literature presented in this dissertation illustrates that 1 ) smartphone-based electronic self-monitoring of mood  seems to reflect clinical ly assessed depressive and manic symptoms and enables the long-term characterization of mood instability in bipolar disorder ; 2 ) preliminary results suggest that smartphone-based automatically generated data ( e.g. the number of text messages sent/day ; the number of incoming and outgoing calls/day ; the number of changes in cell tower IDs/day ; and voice features ) seem to reflect clinical ly assessed depressive and manic symptoms in bipolar disorder ; 3 ) smartphone-based electronic self-monitoring had no effects on the severity of depressive and manic symptoms in bipolar disorder , according to a r and omized controlled trial ; and 4 ) electronic  monitoring of psychomotor activity and heart rate variability seems to reflect illness activity in bipolar disorder and differentiate between patients with bipolar disorder and healthy control individuals .
These findings point toward the usefulness of  electronic monitoring  as a marker of illness in bipolar disorder .
Major reasons for the insufficient effects of current treatment options in bipolar disorder include delayed intervention for prodromal depressive and manic symptoms and decreased adherence to psychopharmacological treatment .
The reliance on subjective information and clinical evaluations when diagnosing and assessing the severity of depressive and manic symptoms calls for less biased and more objective markers .
By using electronic devices , fine-grained data on complex psychopathological aspects of bipolar disorder can be evaluated unobtrusively over the long term .
Using electronic monitoring as a treatment intervention could provide innovative and novel interventions on-dem and with a potential global reach , filling the gap between availability and the need for treatment .
Internet-based psychoeducation for bipolar disorder: a qualitative analysis of feasibility, acceptability and impact
Background In a recent exploratory r and omised trial we found that a novel , internet-based psychoeducation programme for bipolar disorder ( Beating Bipolar ) was relatively easy to deliver and had a modest effect on psychological quality of life . We sought to explore the experiences of participants with respect to feasibility , acceptability and impact of Beating Bipolar . Methods Participants were invited to take part in a semi-structured interview . Thematic analysis techniques were employed ; to explore and describe participants ’ experiences , the data were analysed for emerging themes which were identified and coded . Results The programme was feasible to deliver and acceptable to participants where they felt comfortable using a computer . It was found to impact upon insight into illness , health behaviour , personal routines and positive attitudes towards medication . Many participants regarded the programme as likely to be most beneficial for those recently diagnosed . Conclusions An online psychoeducation package for bipolar disorder , such as Beating Bipolar , is feasible and acceptable to patients , has a positive impact on self-management behaviours and may be particularly suited to early intervention . Alternative ( non-internet ) formats should also be made available to patients
Taken together , the literature presented in this dissertation illustrates that 1 ) smartphone-based electronic self-monitoring of mood  seems to reflect clinical ly assessed depressive and manic symptoms and enables the long-term characterization of mood instability in bipolar disorder ; 2 ) preliminary results suggest that smartphone-based automatically generated data ( e.g. the number of text messages sent/day ; the number of incoming and outgoing calls/day ; the number of changes in cell tower IDs/day ; and voice features ) seem to reflect clinical ly assessed depressive and manic symptoms in bipolar disorder ; 3 ) smartphone-based electronic self-monitoring had no effects on the severity of depressive and manic symptoms in bipolar disorder , according to a r and omized controlled trial ; and 4 ) electronic  monitoring of psychomotor activity and heart rate variability seems to reflect illness activity in bipolar disorder and differentiate between patients with bipolar disorder and healthy control individuals .
These findings point toward the usefulness of  electronic monitoring  as a marker of illness in bipolar disorder .
Major reasons for the insufficient effects of current treatment options in bipolar disorder include delayed intervention for prodromal depressive and manic symptoms and decreased adherence to psychopharmacological treatment .
The reliance on subjective information and clinical evaluations when diagnosing and assessing the severity of depressive and manic symptoms calls for less biased and more objective markers .
By using electronic devices , fine-grained data on complex psychopathological aspects of bipolar disorder can be evaluated unobtrusively over the long term .
Using electronic monitoring as a treatment intervention could provide innovative and novel interventions on-dem and with a potential global reach , filling the gap between availability and the need for treatment .