The link between mania and anxiety suggests that patients whose main symptom is anxiety should be carefully assessed for a history of mania before starting treatment.
Genetic Variations Linked With Increased Susceptibility to Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, which affects nearly eight million Americans, takes a toll not only on patients, but also on their families and communities.
Bipolar disorder, which affects nearly eight million Americans, takes a toll not only on patients, but also on their families and communities.
‘Depression and anxiety commonly co-occur, and studies indicate that depression and a common form of anxiety known as generalized anxiety disorder behave virtually as the same genetic condition.’
Study participants were interviewed to determine the incidence of manic episodes. A second interview was conducted three years later to determine the subsequent incidence of depression or anxiety. Participants with mania had an approximately equal risk of developing depression (odds ratio of 1.7) or anxiety (odds ratio of 1.8). Both conditions were significantly more common among participants with than without mania. In addition, participants with depression had a significantly higher risk of developing mania (odds ratio of 2.2) or anxiety (odds ratio of 1.7) compared to those without depression. Results of the report align with earlier research demonstrating that depression and anxiety commonly co-occur, and with twin studies indicating that depression and a common form of anxiety known as generalized anxiety disorder behave virtually as the same genetic condition. The new findings extend the close connection between depression and anxiety to individuals with bipolar disorder who have experienced episodes of mania.
"Although it has long been widely assumed that bipolar disorder represents repeated episodes of mania and depression as poles along a single continuum of mood, the clinical reality is often far more complex," said Mark Olfson, MD, MPH, professor of psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center, research psychiatrist at New York State Psychiatric Institute, and lead author of the report. "The link between mania and anxiety suggests that patients whose main symptom is anxiety should be carefully assessed for a history of mania before starting treatment."
Discovery of Gene Variation Linked to Bipolar Disorder Leads to Development of New Therapies
The genetic variation was found in the cAMP messenger pathway of a gene known as PDE10A. This variation was found to increase the susceptibility of bipolar disorder.
The genetic variation was found in the cAMP messenger pathway of a gene known as PDE10A. This variation was found to increase the susceptibility of bipolar disorder.
"For years, we may have missed opportunities to evaluate the effects of treatments for bipolar disorder on anxiety," said Dr. Olfson. "The results of our study suggest that researchers should begin to ask whether, and to what extent, treatments for bipolar disorder relieve anxiety as well as mania and depression."
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Effects of Psychopharmacological Treatment in Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder causes substantial suffering and disability, but most patients can be successfully treated with mood stabilizing medication or antidepressants.
Bipolar disorder causes substantial suffering and disability, but most patients can be successfully treated with mood stabilizing medication or antidepressants.
Inherited Traits Tied to Sleep and Wake Cycles Linked to Bipolar Disorder
A team of international scientists have identified inherited traits related to sleep, wake, and activity cycles that are associated with severe bipolar disorder.
A team of international scientists have identified inherited traits related to sleep, wake, and activity cycles that are associated with severe bipolar disorder.
