The impact of labour market disruptions and transport choice on the environment during COVID-19.

Since late 2019, COVID-19 has devastated the global economy, with indirect implications for the environment. As governments' prioritized health and implemented measures such as the closure of non-essential businesses and social distancing, many workers have lost their jobs, been furloughed, or started working from home. Consequently, the world of work has drastically transformed and this period is likely to have major implications for mobility, transportation and the environment. This paper estimates the potential for people to engage in remote work and social distancing using O*NET data and Irish Census data and calculates the potential emission savings, by commuter type from a switch to remote working and occupational social distancing. The results show that while those who commute by car have a relatively high potential for remote work, they are less likely to be able to engage in social distancing in their workplace. While this may be negative for employment prospects in the short run, our analysis indicates that this pattern has the potential for positive environmental implications in the short and long run.

Triggers of mania and depression in young adults with bipolar disorder.

BACKGROUND: Early intervention significantly decreases the impact of bipolar disorder. However, there is little research investigating triggers that may be unique precipitants of manic/hypomanic episodes, and how these may differ from triggers specific to bipolar depression, in young adults with the disorder. METHODS: Individuals aged 18 to 30 years who had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder (n=198) completed an online survey to identify triggers unique to mania/hypomania and depression, as well as triggers which were common to both. Respondents rated how frequently a series of situations and behaviours had precipitated either a manic/hypomanic episode or a depressive episode in the past. Survey data was supplemented by in-depth face-to-face interviews (n=11). RESULTS: Triggers specifically associated with the onset of manic/hypomanic episodes included falling in love, recreational stimulant use, starting a creative project, late night partying, going on vacation and listening to loud music. Triggers associated with depressive episodes included stressful life events, general stress, fatigue, sleep deprivation, physical injury or illness, menstruation and decreases in physical exercise. A further set of triggers were identified as being common to both manic/hypomanic and depressive episodes. Consistent themes arose from the analysis of face-to-face interviews, which extended and illuminated the findings of the survey data. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of a unique set of triggers for mania/hypomania and a unique set for depression in young adults with bipolar disorder may allow for earlier identification of episodes, thus increasing opportunities for early intervention.

The precipitants of manic/hypomanic episodes in the context of bipolar disorder: a review.

BACKGROUND: Mania/hypomania is the hallmark feature of bipolar disorder. This paper aims to review the current evidence in relation to factors hypothesised to precipitate bipolar mania/hypomania, and suggest areas for future research. METHODS: A selective review of original and review papers was conducted. The electronic databases 'PsycINFO' and 'PubMed' were searched using the following search strings: "bipolar disorder" or "mania" or "hypomania" or "manic-depression" with "triggers" or "precipitants" or "precedents" or "predictors". RESULTS: There is evidence that goal attainment events, antidepressant medication, disrupted circadian rhythms, spring/summer seasonal conditions, and more tentatively, stressful life events and high emotional expression, may precipitate bipolar mania/hypomania in susceptible individuals. Evidence from case reports and clinical observations are also reported. DISCUSSION: The pathways to bipolar mania/hypomania may be many and varied, and many of these pathways may be outside the awareness of individuals with bipolar disorder. Greater awareness of the broad number of precipitating factors is needed to inform self-management and psycho-educational programs to build resilience to further episodes. Future research is needed to explore what other factors may precipitate bipolar mania/hypomania, and to determine why some factors may precipitate mania/hypomania in some individuals with bipolar I or II disorder but not in others.