The many forms of bipolar disorder: a modern look at an old illness

Bipolar disorder continues to be underrecognized, despite being known for 2000 years. Mania, the fullest expression of the disease affects approximately 1% of the population; the less-than-manic forms of the disease dominated by depressive episodes have recently been found to be more common, affecting 4-5% of the population. In reviewing the international literature on this broadened bipolar spectrum, this paper pays particular tribute to the French EPIDEP and EPIMAN studies and Italo-American collaboration which have generated the largest set of systematic data on the new clinical portrait of bipolar disorders. Early detection is crucial, because untreated bipolar disorder has a high mortality rate. A review of the diagnostic criteria for the various subtypes of bipolar disorder has identified several factors that interfere with making an accurate diagnosis. These include age at onset, ethnic differences, co-morbidity (particularly substance abuse and alcoholism), and the broad range of clinical presentations. Moreover, symptoms frequently overlap with those of other psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, attention-deficit disorder and personality disorders. Misdiagnosis is a major factor leading to a poor outcome for patients. Accurate identification and diagnosis of the different forms of mania can lead to specific treatment choices that may improve prognosis. Particularly important are recent data indicating reduced mortality with a variety of psychopharmacologic agents including, but not limited to, lithium and valproate.