Long-term stability of polarity distinctions in the affective disorders

• DOI: 10.1176/ajp.152.3.385
• Publication Date: 2014-12-17T19:49:00Z
• Authors: William Coryell; Jane Endicott; J D Maser; Micha Keller; Andrew C. Leon; Hagop S. Akiskal
• Keywords: Polarity (international relations)

This analysis aimed to quantify the long-term stability of distinctions between nonbipolar, bipolar II, and I affective disorders determine predictors shifts in patients' diagnoses among these categories.Probands entered study as they sought treatment for manic, major depressive, or schizoaffective disorder diagnosed according Research Diagnostic Criteria. After thorough baseline evaluations, 605 patients with nonbipolar depressive disorder, depressed type; 96 II disorder; 231 manic type, began follow-up study. Direct interviews took place at 6-month intervals first 5 years annually thereafter.Only 20 (5.2%) 381 initially probands who completed 10 developed mania during that time, only 19 (5.0%) hypomania. A slightly higher proportion 67 years. Although 101 (66.4%) 152 subsequent episodes, 11 (7.2%) hypomanic episodes no mania. Young age intake onset chronicity index episode predicted from disorder. Psychosis a family history disorder.The high disorders, combination previously described data, strongly supports separation both clinical research purposes.