Distinguishing young people with emerging bipolar disorders from those with unipolar depression

Elizabeth M Scott; Daniel F Hermens; Sharon L Naismith; Adam J Guastella; Tamara De Regt; Django White; Jim Lagopoulos; Ian B Hickie

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2012.06.031

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Distinguishing young people with emerging bipolar disorders from those with unipolar depression

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Distinguishing young people with emerging bipolar disorders from those with unipolar depression

Elizabeth M Scott, Daniel F Hermens, Sharon L Naismith, Adam J Guastella, Tamara De Regt, Django White, Jim Lagopoulos and Ian B Hickie

Journal of Affective Disorders, Vol.144(3), pp.208-215

2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2012.06.031

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Abstract

Medical and Health Sciences

Psychology and Cognitive Sciences

bipolar

unipolar

youth

family history

neuropsychology

Background: To facilitate early intervention, there is a need to distinguish unipolar versus bipolar illness trajectories in adolescents and young adults with adult-type mood disorders. Methods: Detailed clinical and neuropsychological evaluation of 308 young persons (aged 12 to 30 years) with moderately severe unipolar and bipolar affective disorders. Results: Almost 30% (90/308) of young people (mean age=19.4±4.4 yr) presenting for care with affective disorders met criteria for a bipolar-type syndrome (26% with bipolar I). Subjects with bipolar- and unipolar-type syndromes were of similar age (19.8 vs. 19.2 yr) and reported comparable ages of onset (14.5 vs. 14.3 yr). Clinically, those subjects with unipolar and bipolar-type disorders reported similar levels of psychological distress, depressive symptoms, current role impairment, neuropsychological dysfunction and alcohol or other substance misuse. Subjects with unipolar disorders reported more social anxiety (p <0.01). Subjects with bipolar disorders were more likely to report a family history of bipolar (21% vs. 11%; [χ2=4.0, p <.05]) or psychotic (19% vs. 9%; [χ2=5.5, p <.05]), or substance misuse (35% vs. 23%; [χ2=3.9, p <.05]), but not depressive (48% vs. 53%; χ2=0.3, p=.582]) disorders. Conclusions: Young subjects with bipolar disorders were best discriminated by a family history of bipolar, psychotic or substance use disorders. Early in the course of illness, clinical features of depression, or neuropsychological function, do not readily differentiate the two illness trajectories.

Details

Title: Distinguishing young people with emerging bipolar disorders from those with unipolar depression
Authors: Elizabeth M Scott (Author) - University of Sydney
Daniel F Hermens (Author) - University of Sydney
Sharon L Naismith (Author) - University of Sydney
Adam J Guastella (Author) - University of Sydney
Tamara De Regt (Author) - University of Sydney
Django White (Author) - University of Sydney
Jim Lagopoulos (Author) - University of Sydney
Ian B Hickie (Author) - University of Sydney
Publication details: Journal of Affective Disorders, Vol.144(3), pp.208-215
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date published: 2013
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2012.06.031
ISSN: 0165-0327
Organisation Unit: School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Thompson Institute; Engage Research Lab; School of Health - Psychology; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99448728602621
Output Type: Journal article

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