Misdiagnosis and psychotic symptoms in bipolar disorder

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 255-255
Author(s):  
A. Ugarte ◽  
M. Fernández ◽  
I. González ◽  
J.R. Peciña ◽  
A. Villamor ◽  
...  

IntroductionEarly onset forms of bipolar disorder may be difficult to distinguish from schizophrenia. Although operational criteria have become more precise, and there are more diagnostic systems to catalogue a psychotic adolescent, the clinicians continue having difficulties.ObjectiveTo know the stability of the diagnosis of definitively bipolar patients with psychotic symptoms during the episodes, and factors that can influence other psychotic diagnoses in the first episode of the illness.Method140 bipolar patients of Araba, (Basque country) were included during 2 years. Patients were divided into two groups: unstable diagnoses (UD)(bipolar patients with an initial diagnosis of other psychosis) and stable diagnoses (SD) of bipolar disorder. Clinical and sociodemographic data were obtained.ResultsThe mean age at onset was significantly lower in the UD group (p = 0.004). It was rare to have an unstable diagnosis when the first psychotic episode occurred after age 38 (p = 0.008). There were more singles in the UD group (p = 0.010).The presence of mood incongruent psychotic symptoms was more frequent in the UD group (p < 0.001).Mood incongruent psychotic symptoms variable was the only independent factor significantly associated with an unstable diagnosis in the multivariate analysis (p = 0.036).DiscussionOne third of the patients have been previously diagnosed with other psychotic illness.This study suggests that the most important factor is the clinical picture, especially the presence of mood-incongruent psychotic symptoms. A correct diagnosis is important because patients who are prescribed mood stabilizers have lower rates of rehospitalisation than those who are not treated with mood stabilizers.

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 557-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-M. Azorin ◽  
A. Kaladjian ◽  
M. Adida ◽  
E. Fakra ◽  
E. Hantouche ◽  
...  

AbstractObjective:To identify some of the main features of bipolar disorder for both first-episode (FE) mania and the preceding prodromal phase, in order to increase earlier recognition.Methods:One thousand and ninety manic patients (FE=81, multiple-episodes [ME]=1009) were assessed for clinical and temperamental characteristics.Results:Compared to ME, FE patients reported more psychotic and less depressive symptoms but were comparable with respect to temperamental measures and comorbid anxiety. The following independent variables were associated with FE mania: a shorter delay before correct diagnosis, greater substance use, being not divorced, greater stressors before current mania, a prior diagnosis of an anxiety disorder, lower levels of depression during index manic episode, and more suicide attempts in the past year.Conclusion:In FE patients, the diagnosis of mania may be overlooked, as they present with more psychotic symptoms than ME patients. The prodromal phase is characterised by high levels of stress, suicide attempts, anxiety disorders and alcohol or substance abuse. Data suggest to consider these prodromes as harmful consequences of temperamental predispositions to bipolar disorder that may concur to precipitate mania onset. Their occurrence should therefore incite clinicians to screen for the presence of such predispositions, in order to identify patients at risk of FE mania.


2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (8) ◽  
pp. 772-781 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfredo Carlo Altamura ◽  
Massimiliano Buoli ◽  
Bruno Mario Cesana ◽  
Andrea Fagiolini ◽  
Andrea de Bartolomeis ◽  
...  

Objective: Psychotic versus non-psychotic patients with bipolar disorder have been traditionally associated with different unfavorable clinical features. In this study on bipolar Italian patients, we aimed to compare clinical and demographic differences between psychotic and non-psychotic individuals, exploring clinical factors that may favor early diagnosis and personalized treatment. Methods: A total of 1671 patients (males: n = 712 and females: n = 959; bipolar type 1: n = 1038 and bipolar type 2: n = 633) from different psychiatric departments were compared according to the lifetime presence of psychotic symptoms in terms of socio-demographic and clinical variables. Chi-square tests for qualitative variables and Student’s t-tests for quantitative variables were performed for group comparison, and a multivariable logistic regression was performed, considering the lifetime psychotic symptoms as dependent variables and socio-demographic/clinical characteristics as independent variables. Results: Psychotic versus non-psychotic bipolar subjects resulted to: be more frequently unemployed ( p < 0.01) and never married/partnered ( p < 0.01); have an earlier age at onset ( p < 0.01); more frequently receive a first diagnosis different from a mood disorder ( p < 0.01); have a shorter duration of untreated illness ( p < 0.01); have a more frequently hypomanic/manic prevalent polarity ( p < 0.01) and a prevalent manic–depressive type of cycling ( p < 0.01); present a lower lifetime number of depressive episodes ( p < 0.01), but have more manic episodes ( p < 0.01); and less insight ( p < 0.01) and more hospitalizations in the last year ( p < 0.01). Multivariable regression analysis showed that psychotic versus non-psychotic bipolar patients received more frequently a first diagnosis different from bipolar disorder (odds ratio = 0.64, 95% confidence interval = [0.46, 0.90], p = 0.02) or major depressive disorder (odds ratio = 0.66, 95% confidence interval = [0.48, 0.91], p = 0.02), had more frequently a prevalent manic polarity (odds ratio = 1.84, 95% confidence interval = [1.14, 2.98], p < 0.01) and had a higher number of lifetime manic episodes (more than six) (odds ratio = 8.79, 95% confidence interval = [5.93, 13.05], p < 0.01). Conclusion: Lifetime psychotic symptoms in bipolar disorder are associated with unfavorable socio-demographic and clinical features as well as with a more frequent initial misdiagnosis.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiming Chen ◽  
Fan Wang ◽  
Lvchun Cui ◽  
Haijing Huang ◽  
Shuqi Kong ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Sleep disturbance and benzodiazepines (BZDs)/Z-drugs use are known to be common during affective episodes. Hence, we identified the probable outcomes of bipolar disorder that correlate with BZDs/Z-drugs use, aside from mood symptoms. We conducted an open-label, prospective study to describe the current use of BZDs and Z-drugs by patients with bipolar disorder during affective episodes. We evaluated the difference of characteristics between bipolar patients with sleep disturbance who chose BZDs/Z-drugs, and those who did not chose the drugs during and after affective disorder. The influences of BZDs/Z-drugs use on suicide attempt and psychotic symptoms during affective disorder were also investigated. Results: Seventy patients with current affective episodes were studied. Among them, 61 had sleep disturbances. The amount of mood stabilizers use in the BZDs/Z-drugs group was significantly greater than that in the no BZDs/Z-drugs group (p=0.038) during affective episodes. After affective episode, sleep disturbances, especially midnight wakes, became more improved in BZDs/Z-drugs group compared to the no BZDs/Z-drugs group. By contrast, attention and decisiveness became more improved in the no BZDs/Z-drugs group than in the BZDs/Z-drugs group. Furthermore, we observed that BZDs/Z-drugs had an OR of 4.338 (95% CI 1.068-17.623, p=0.040), and other psychiatric drugs had an OR of 1.835 (95% CI 1.105-3.047, p=0.019) in relation to suicide attempt. After nine months, we found that BZDs/Z-drugs use was of no significant effect to depressive or manic severity, or to recurrence rate.Conclusion: BZDs/Z-drugs use have no significant influence on variations in depressive or manic severity during the course of an affective episode. Nevertheless, BZDs/Z-drugs users took a greater amount of mood stabilizers than no BZDs/Z-drugs users. Finally, BZDs/Z-drugs or other psychiatric drugs polytherapy was regarded as a risk factor of suicide attempt during an affective episode.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S74-S74
Author(s):  
A. Caldiroli ◽  
M. Buoli ◽  
B. Dell’Osso ◽  
G.S. Carnevali ◽  
M. Serati ◽  
...  

IntroductionRapid cycling (RC) worsens the course of bipolar disorder (BD) being associated with poor response to pharmacotherapy. Previous results about clinical variables potentially associated with RCBD were discordant or unreplicated.ObjectivesAn early diagnosis should be the goal to properly treat RCBD patients.AimsTo compare clinical variables between RC and non-RC bipolar patients and to identify related risk factors.MethodsA sample of 238 bipolar patients was enrolled from three different community mental health centers. Descriptive analyses were performed on total sample and patients were compared in terms of sociodemographic and clinical variables according to the presence of RC by multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs, continuous variables) or χ2 tests (qualitative variables). Binary logistic regression was performed to calculate odds ratios.ResultsOverall, 28 patients (11.8%) had RC. The two groups were not different in terms of age, age at onset, gender distribution, type of family history, type of substance use disorder, history of antidepressant therapy, main antidepressant, psychotic symptoms, comorbid anxiety disorders, suicide attempts, thyroid diseases, diabetes, type of BD, duration of untreated illness, illness duration, duration of antidepressant treatment and GAF scores. In contrast, RC patients had more often a history of obstetric complications (P < 0.05), obesity (P < 0.05) and a trend to hypercholesterolemia (P = 0.08). In addition, RC bipolar patients presented more frequently lifetime MDMA misuse (P < 0.05) than patients without RC.ConclusionsObesity and obstetric complications are risk factors for the development of RC in BD. Lifetime MDMA misuse may be more frequent in RC bipolar patients.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 240-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.M. Ozkose ◽  
O. Guclu ◽  
S. Guloksuz ◽  
O. Karaca ◽  
B. Yildirim ◽  
...  

IntroductionAlthough history of childhood trauma is present in nearly 50% of bipolar patients, the effects of childhood trauma on the course of bipolar disorder are rarely investigated. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effects of childhood trauma on psychotic symptoms seen in patients with bipolar disorder.MethodsOne-hundred DSM-IV-TR diagnosed bipolar patients who were either manic or depressive were recruited from inpatient units of Bakirkoy Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology and Neurosurgery. Patients were initially evaluated by Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Montgomery-Asperg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Scales for Assessment of Positive Symptoms. Patients were also evaluated by Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and Dissociative Experiences Scale in euthymia which was defined by scores of < 7 in YMRS, < 4 in MADRASResultsThere were no differences between the patients with and without a history of psychotic episode in terms of age at onset, duration of illness and episode characteristics. Patients with a history of psychotic episode were hospitalized more. CTQ physical abuse scores were higher in male comparing to female. CTQ sexual abuse scores were higher in female comparing to male. CTQ emotional abuse, physical neglect, physical abuse and total scores were higher in patients who had at least one psychotic episode in lifetime than in patients without a history of psychotic episode.ConclusionThe history of childhood trauma should be investigated and therapeutic interventions for childhood trauma should be added to the standard treatment plan of bipolar patients.


2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 219-222
Author(s):  
Milin Miruna ◽  
Lăzărescu M ◽  
Racolţa Anca ◽  
Silvoșeanu C ◽  
Bredicean Cristina

Abstract Introduction: In the last years there is a great interest for the theory of the “psychotic continuum”, which accepts that there is a transition between schizophrenia and affective pathology, including bipolar disorder with psychotic interferences and the recently introduced diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. There are few studies that analyze bipolar disorder with mood-incongruent psychosis. The purpose of this study was to observe the way in which the interference of mood-incongruent psychotic symptoms can influence the long term evolution of patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder and the similarities that exists between this type of pathology and schizoaffective disorder. Material and methods: Sixty subjects were selected, who are now diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder, with and without psychotic features. All cases have at least 15 years of evolution since the first episode of psychosis and were analyzed in term of their age of onset and longitudinal evolution. Results: The results showed that bipolar patients who had mood incongruent psychotic symptoms had an earlier age of onset and a higher rate of hospitalizations in their long term evolution compared to bipolar patients without psychotic features, which brings them closer to patients with schizoaffective disorder in term of their pattern of evolution. Conclusions: This study has demonstrated that the interference of mood-incongruent psychosis with bipolar disorder determines a worse prognosis of this disease, very similar with the evolution of patients with schizoaffective disorder


2011 ◽  
Vol 156 (3) ◽  
pp. 370-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela Belmonte Mahon ◽  
Mehdi Pirooznia ◽  
Fernando S. Goes ◽  
Fayaz Seifuddin ◽  
Jo Steele ◽  
...  

2001 ◽  
Vol 178 (5) ◽  
pp. 433-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Milton ◽  
Shazad Amin ◽  
Swaran P. Singh ◽  
Glynn Harrison ◽  
Peter Jones ◽  
...  

BackgroundRecent research has reported increased risk of aggressive incidents by individuals with psychotic illness.AimsTo examine acts of aggression in first-episode psychosis.MethodSubjects with a first-episode psychosis were ascertained from a defined catchment area (Nottingham, UK) and reassessed at 3 years (n=166) using clinical interview, informants, health care and forensic records.ResultsOf the subjects, 9.6% demonstrated at least one act of serious aggression (defined as weapon use, sexual assault or victim injury) during at least one psychotic episode and 23.5% demonstrated lesser acts of aggression (defined as all other acts of aggression). For all aggressive subjects (33.1%), unemployment (OR=3.6, 95%CI 1.6–8.0), comorbid substance misuse (OR=3.1, CI 1.1–8.8) and symptoms of overactivity at service contact (OR=6.9, CI 2.7–17.8) had independent effects on risk of aggression.ConclusionsWe confirmed some previously reported demographic and clinical associations with aggression in first-episode psychosis but no relationship with specific psychotic symptoms or diagnostic groups was observed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. e240088
Author(s):  
Peter M Haddad ◽  
Majid Al Abdulla ◽  
Javed Latoo ◽  
Yousaf Iqbal

A 30-year-old man with no significant previous or family psychiatric history became severely anxious about his health after a positive COVID-19 test. Physical symptoms of COVID-19 were mild, with no evidence of hypoxia or pneumonia, throughout his illness. He was admitted to a quarantine facility. He remained highly anxious, and 1 week later, he developed paranoid delusions and auditory hallucinations (his first psychotic episode). He was treated with lorazepam 1 mg four times a day, mirtazapine 30 mg nocte and risperidone 1 mg two times a day. His psychotic symptoms lasted 1 week. He stopped psychiatric medication after 4 weeks and had remained well when reviewed 3 months later. A Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fifth edition diagnosis of brief psychotic disorder with marked stressor (brief reactive psychosis) was made. Anxiety about his health and social isolation appeared the main aetiological factors but an inflammatory component cannot be excluded. The case highlights that first episode psychosis can be associated with mild COVID-19.


2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (16) ◽  
pp. 3455-3467 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Peters ◽  
L. G. Sylvia ◽  
P. V. da Silva Magalhães ◽  
D. J. Miklowitz ◽  
E. Frank ◽  
...  

Background.The course of bipolar disorder progressively worsens in some patients. Although responses to pharmacotherapy appear to diminish with greater chronicity, less is known about whether patients' prior courses of illness are related to responses to psychotherapy.Method.Embedded in the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP-BD) was a randomized controlled trial of psychotherapy for bipolar depression comparing the efficacy of intensive psychotherapy with collaborative care (a three-session psycho-educational intervention). We assessed whether the number of previous mood episodes, age of illness onset, and illness duration predicted or moderated the likelihood of recovery and time until recovery from a depressive episode in patients in the two treatments.Results.Independently of treatment condition, participants with one to nine prior depressive episodes were more likely to recover and had faster time to recovery than those with 20 or more prior depressive episodes. Participants with fewer than 20 prior manic episodes had faster time to recovery than those with 20 or more episodes. Longer illness duration predicted a longer time to recovery. Participants were more likely to recover in intensive psychotherapy than collaborative care if they had 10–20 prior episodes of depression [number needed to treat (NNT) = 2.0], but equally likely to respond to psychotherapy and collaborative care if they had one to nine (NNT = 32.0) or >20 (NNT = 9.0) depressive episodes.Conclusions.Number of previous mood episodes and illness duration are associated with the likelihood and speed of recovery among bipolar patients receiving psychosocial treatments for depression.


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