Mixed versus manic bipolar disorder: a comparison of demographic, symptomatic, and treatment differences

This study compared patients diagnosed with Mixed versus Manic Bipolar disorder across the domains of demographic, symptom, and treatment variables. The sample included 152 patients who were admitted to an acute care psychiatric facility within an index period, whose discharge diagnosis was either Bipolar Disorder, Manic Episode (n = 109) or Bipolar Disorder, Mixed Episode (n = 43). No significant differences were found in age, race, episode number, or length of stay. There was a trend toward females being diagnosed with a Mixed Episode and males a Manic Episode. Group differences were found on physician and nurse symptom ratings, with the manic group receiving higher ratings on resistance, psychosis, and conceptual disorganization and the mixed receiving higher scores on depression and anxiety. On self-report measures, the mixed group endorsed greater severity than did the manic group. The mixed group was more likely to be prescribed antidepressants at discharge; however there were no significant differences across other medication. These differences are discussed.