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Approach to Bipolar Spectrum Disorders. M NAJIB M ALWI MD(USM), Dip IC(UK), MSc(UK), MRCPsych(UK) Dept of Psychiatry School of Medical Sciences Universiti Sains Malaysia. Mania/Hypomania Episode: DSM-IV Symptoms.
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Approach to Bipolar Spectrum Disorders M NAJIB M ALWI MD(USM), Dip IC(UK), MSc(UK), MRCPsych(UK) Dept of Psychiatry School of Medical Sciences Universiti Sains Malaysia
Mania/Hypomania Episode:DSM-IV Symptoms • Persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood (at least 1 + >3 of below, 4) • Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity • Decreased need for sleep • Talkativeness or pressured speech • Flight of ideas or “racing” thoughts • Distractibility • Increase in goal-directed activity or psychomotor agitation • Excessive involvement in pleasurable activities with high potential for negative consequences • DURATION: 1 week / need for hospitalisation (MANIA); 4 days (HYPOMANIA) 1. American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision Washington, DC. American Psychiatric Association, 2000. 2. Ghaemi SN. Bipolar Disorder and Antidepressants: An Ongoing Controversy. Primary Psychiatry. 2001;(8):28-34.
Major Depressive Episode:DSM-IV Symptoms • Depressed mood* • interest/pleasure* • Weight loss/gain • or need for sleep • Psychomotor agitation/retardation • Fatigue/loss of energy • Feelings of worthlessness • ability to think or concentrate • Suicidal thoughts or thoughts of death *Either must be present for the diagnosis of a major depressive episode. American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington, DC. American Psychiatric Association, 2000.
Bipolar Disorder:Mixed Mania and Rapid Cycling • Mixed mania • Simultaneous symptoms of depression and mania • Evident in up to 30-40% of all bipolar I patients • Women >men • Rapid cycling • 4 mood episodes yearly • 3 times women >men • Ultrarapid cycling: 4 episodes monthly 1. Evans DL. J Clin Psych 2000;61 (Suppl 13):26-31. 2. American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington, DC. American Psychiatric Association, 2000.
BIPOLAR DISORDERS (DSM-IV) • Bipolar I Disorder • (manic depressive illness with or without psychosis) • Bipolar II disorder • (episodes of major depression alternating with episodes of hypomania which are not severe enough to result in impairment of function) • Cyclothymic disorder • (brief and attenuated episodes of depression and hypomania sometimes known as minor cyclic mood disorder) • Lifetime prevalence: 3% to 4% of general population
69% Misdiagnosis occurred 35% were symptomatic for more than10 years before correct diagnosis 10+ years Misdiagnosis 2000 National DMDA Bipolar Survey(n=600) Most frequent misdiagnosis: Unipolar depression NDMDA: National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association. Hirschfeld RMA, et al. J Clin Psychiatry. 2003;64:161-174.
Further Diagnostic Difficulty • A much larger group of patients demonstrate milder and/or atypical forms of episodic mood disturbances • Frequently resistant to standard antidepressants • Some worsened by antidepressants • Efforts at clinical subtyping the so-called soft bipolar spectrum are ongoing • Currently: DSM-IV Bipolar II Disorder, NOS (not otherwise specified). • If included: lifetime prevalence of Bipolar DO - 5% to 8 % of the general population
History of Mood Disorders • Kraepelin (1890s): • “manic-depressive insanity” • Included DSM-IV subtypes, mixed and rapid cycling states, many of the soft bipolar variations and also episodic depressions • DSM-I (1960s): • proposed a differentiation between major depression and manic-depressive illness • Later DSMs: • unipolar - bipolar dichotomy • Fieve and Dunner (1970s): • discriminated bipolar I from bipolar II disorder • a seminal event in the evolution of the soft bipolar spectrum
Further Evolution • KLERMAN'S BIPOLAR SUBTYPES (1981) • Bipolar I: Mania and depression • Bipolar II: Hypomania and depression • Bipolar III: Cyclothymic disorder • Bipolar IV: Hypomania or mania precipitated by antidepressant drugs • Bipolar V: Depressed patients with a family history of bipolar illness • Bipolar VI: Mania without depression [unipolar mania] Psychiatric Annals #17: January 1987
Current Thinking • Hagop Akiskal: nosologic pendulum is swinging back towards Kraepelinian original unitary concept of the bipolar spectrum of mood disorders • He added four more subtypes: according to some unique clinical features.
AKISKAL'S SCHEMA OF BIPOLAR SUBTYPES • Bipolar I: full-blown mania • Bipolar I ½: depression with protracted hypomania • Bipolar II: depression with hypomanic episodes • Bipolar II ½: cyclothymic disorder • Bipolar III: hypomania due to antidepressant drugs • Bipolar III ½: hypomania and/or depression associated with substance use • Bipolar IV: depression associated with hyperthymic temperament Akiskal & Pinto (1999) Psychiatric Clinics of North America 22:3, 517-534
AKISKAL'S SCHEMA OF BIPOLAR SUBTYPES • Bipolar I: full-blown mania • Bipolar I ½: depression with protracted hypomania • Bipolar II: depression with hypomanic episodes • Bipolar II ½: cyclothymic disorder • Bipolar III: hypomania due to antidepressant drugs • Bipolar III ½: hypomania and/or depression associated with substance use • Bipolar IV: depression associated with hyperthymic temperament • Proposed subtypes V and VI have not yet been characterized: • presumably will involve: • episodic anxiety disorders • seasonal mood states • mood disorders co morbid with various anxiety disorders of an episodic nature. Akiskal & Pinto (1999) Psychiatric Clinics of North America 22:3, 517-534
Lieber’s “soft” Bipolar Spectrum Disorders • Episodic Mood Instability • Episodic Atypical Depression • Episodic Dysphoric Hypomania
1. Episodic mood instability • Lifelong episodes of mood swings starting around adolescence. • The mood shifts unpredictably among several distinct mood poles: • brief depressions lasting hours to one or two days • brief euphoria • brief dysphoric or irritable episodes • brief paranoid episodes • brief episodes of rage or intense uncontrollable anger • brief episodic anxiety equivalents (panic attacks, phobias or obsessive ruminations). • This multiplicity of mood options: multipolar mood disorder might be a more accurate designation for it.
2. Episodic atypical depression (EAD) • shows atypical depressive features: • eating too much, sleeping too much, feeling worse towards evening and intense tiredness or lethargy. • mood responsive: • Temporary response to favourable circumstances (hours to a day or two) before returning to the depressed state. • co-existing anxiety and its subtypes (phobias, panic attacks, OCD )
Subtypes of Episodic Atypical Depression • (distinguished by special features): • seasonal affective disorder • winter-onset atypical depressions • premenstrual dysphoric disorder • a/w irritability, mood swings and dysphoria (irritability) • a week to ten days on either side of the menstrual period • hysteroid dysphoria • mainly in women with histrionic personality features • episodes precipitated by romantic rejection • abulic depression • a/w a deficit syndrome (apathy, amotivation, lack of will power, lack of energy, lack of pleasure in life, emotional blunting )
3. Episodic Dysphoric Hypomania NB: Hypomania: • Two types: euphoricanddysphoric (irritable) • Two durations: episodic andprotracted • Episodic dysphoric hypomania: • Irritability, emotional discomfiture, impulsiveness, temper dyscontrol and impaired judgment • Interfere with interpersonal relationships and to limit productivity at work • Sense of inner speeding combined with restless over activity and racing thoughts, which can lead to a state of desperation. • Episodes of depression and mood instability almost always present + sometimes brief euphoric episodes. • Triad: irritable episodes alternating with rage episodes and paranoid episodes is characteristic of dysphoric hypomania.
A Proposed Definition of Bipolar Spectrum Disorder • At least 1 major depressive episode • No spontaneous hypomanic or manic episodes • Either: • 1 of the following plus at least 2 of D; • or 2 of the following, plus 1 item from D: • Family history of bipolar disorder in 1st degree relatives • Antidepressant induced mania or hypomania Ghaemi SN et al (2002) Can J Psychiatry. 47(2):125-134
A Proposed Definition of Bipolar Spectrum Disorder • If no items from C are present, 6 / 9 of below are needed: • Hyperthymic personality (at baseline, non-depressive state) • Recurrent major depressive episodes (>3) • Brief major depressive episodes (ave <3 months) • Atypical depressive symptoms • Psychotic major depressive episodes • Early age of onset of major depressive episodes (<age 25) • Postpartum depression • Antidepressant “wear-off” (acute, but not prophylactic response) • Lack of response to ≥ 3 antidepressants trial Ghaemi SN et al (2002) Can J Psychiatry. 47(2):125-134
COMORBIDITY • A high percentage of bipolar mood disorders, perhaps more than 50%, are comorbid with other medical and/or psychiatric conditions.
Thyroid disorders • Hyperthyroidism: resembles hypomania/ mania and it can worsen pre-existing mania/ hypomania • Hypothyroidism: resembles clinical depression and it can cause pre-existing depression to be unresponsive to antidepressant medications • Treatment with lithium can produce hypothyroidism • Subtle or subclinical hypothyroidism is often associated with the development of mixed and rapid cycling bipolar disorders.
Substance misuse • Psychoactive effects on the brain and can worsen the bipolar condition • Interfere with effective treatment • Can mimic both depression and hypomanic states • Unmask a pre- existing depression or bipolar disorder • Can be secondary to self-medication of bipolar disorder
ADHD • ADHD is now known to often persist into adulthood and symptoms may overlap with bipolar spectrum disorder • Overlapping symptoms: • Restlessness • Motor hyperactivity • Easy distractibility • Impulsiveness • Inability to concentrate or focus attention • Temper dyscontrol • Differentiation: ADHD continuous vs bipolar conditions episodic • Incidence of their co morbidity is unknown. • Stimulants (eg Ritalin), tend to worsen the symptoms of bipolar spectrum disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) • Stormy and unstable lifestyle, overly dramatic, intense but unstable relationships, and exhibit self-defeating and often self-destructive behaviours • Recent years: a high percentage of these patients have co morbid bipolar spectrum disorders. • 75 % of these patients will respond to combination pharmacotherapy using SSRI, a mood stabilizer and an atypical antipsychotic (e.g. olanzapine). • Once the mood has become stable, they can then benefit from competent psychotherapy to deal with their emotional backwash. • Better prognosis with this treatment approach?
* *Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) Bipolar Spectrum Disorder Scale (BSDS)
Bipolar Spectrum Disorder Scale (Ghaemi & Pies 2003) • Read the following paragraph all the way through first, then follow the instructions which appear below it. • Some individuals noticed that their mood and/or energy levels shift drastically from time to time ______ . These individuals notice that, at times, their moody and/or energy level is very low , and at other times, and very high______. During their " low" phases, these individuals often feel a lack of energy, a need to stay in bed or get extra sleep, and little or no motivation to do things they need to do______ . They often put on weight during these periods______ . During their low phases, these individuals often feel "blue," sad all the time, or depressed______ . Sometimes, during the low phases, they feel helpless or even suicidal _____ . Their ability to function at work or socially is impaired ______ . Typically, the low phases last for a few weeks, but sometimes they last only a few days ______ . Individuals with this type of pattern may experience a period of "normal" mood in between mood swings, during which their mood and energy level feels "right" and their ability to function is not disturbed ______ . They may then noticed they marked shift or "switch" in the way they feel ______ . Their energy increases above what is normal for them, and they often get many things done they would not ordinarily be able to do ______ . Sometimes during those "high" periods, these individuals feel as if they had too much energy or feel "hyper" ______ . Some individuals, during these high periods, may feel irritable, "on edge," or aggressive ______. Some individuals, during the high periods, take on too many activities at once ______. During the high periods, some individuals may spend money in ways that cause them trouble______ . They may be more talkative, outgoing or sexual during these periods ______ . Sometimes, their behavior during the high periods seems strange or annoying to others ______ . Sometimes, these individuals get into difficulty with co-workers or police during these high periods ______ . Sometimes, they increase their alcohol or nonprescription drug use during the high periods ______ .
Scoring the BSDS • Add total of check marks from the first 19 sentences. To that total, add the number in parentheses below for the line you selected: • this story fits me very well, or almost perfectly (6) • this story fits me fairly well (4) • this story fits me to some degree, but not in most respects (2) • this story doesn't really describe me at all (0) • The maximum is 19 plus 6, for 25 points. • Interpretation: 19 or higher = bipolar spectrum disorder highly likely 11-18 = moderate probability of bipolar spectrum disorder. 6-10 = low probability of bipolar spectrum disorder <6 = bipolar spectrum disorder very unlikely
Treatment of Bipolar Disorder Treats the highs (mania) Helps prevent the highs and lows (maintenance) Helps manage the lows (depression)
Long-term Treatment Goals • Facilitating compliance • Tolerability of adverse effects of medications • Denial of illness • Recognizing ‘signal events’ that indicate • Patient has returned to baseline functioning • Patient is at a risk for relapse • Family Involvement • To pick up early warning signs of patient relapsing • To assess the family’s expectations
World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) 2003 Guidelines • Acute bipolar mania, mild to moderate • Acute bipolar mania, severe • Bipolar depression
Treatment Strategies for Bipolar Spectrum Disorder Lieber (2003)? • Present with predominantly anxiety or depression symptoms: • Start initially on an SSRI (e.g. Fluoxetine) • If symptoms of hypomania occur during the course of treatment, add a mood stabilizer (e.g. Sodium Valproate) • If the patient fails to respond to the SSRI within four weeks or is unable to tolerate it due to side effects, I will switch to a dual neurotransmitter antidepressant (Effexor, Welbutrin, Remeron, Serzone). • Once the patient is mood stable and without symptoms, monitor at one to three-month intervals. Advise to continue the same dose to prevent recurrence
Treatment Strategies for Bipolar Spectrum Disorder Lieber (2003)? • Present with either euphoric or dysphoric hypomania/ uncontrollable rage/violent outbursts: • Start on a mood stabilizer. • If necessary, an antidepressant drug can be added later after the mood has been stabilized. • Patients with mixed or rapid cycling states: • Usually respond to combination therapy with mood stabilizers and antidepressants.
Unanswered Questions • Does bipolar spectrum disorder routinely require mood stabilisers? • How safe are antidepressants in bipolar spectrum? • What is the optimal duration of treatment?
Conclusion • Bipolar Spectrum Disorders are only recently recognized • May explain difficulties in treating mood disorder patients • Treatment strategies need to be optimized depending on presenting problems and may need to be revised from time to time