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Sex-specific self-reported mood changes by patients with bipolar disorder
Natalie Rasgon1, Michael Bauer, Paul Grof
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, 401 Quarry Road, Room 2360, Palo Alto, CA 94305-5723, USA.
Journal of Psychiatric Research
|October 27, 2004
Summary
Bipolar disorder I presents differently in men and women. Women experience more depression and mood swings, with significant changes linked to their menstrual cycle, unlike men.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Bipolar I disorder affects men and women equally in prevalence.
- However, distinct differences in clinical presentation and disease course between sexes are suspected.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex-based differences in the clinical presentation of Bipolar I disorder.
- To analyze mood patterns, symptom severity, and cyclical variations in relation to sex.
Main Methods:
- Utilized ChronoRecord software for daily self-reported mood, medication, sleep, and life event tracking.
- Collected 8662 days of data from 80 patients (35 men, 45 women) over three months.
- Included menstrual cycle data for female participants.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in time spent in mood states between sexes (P<0.001).
- Women experienced depression more frequently (28.3%) than men (17.0%), with men more often euthymic (74.0% vs 64.2%).
- Women showed greater mood fluctuations and menstrual cycle-related mood changes (55% of reproductive-aged women).
Conclusions:
- The clinical course of Bipolar I disorder exhibits significant sex-based differences.
- Women report more frequent depressive episodes and greater mood instability.
- Menstrual cycle significantly impacts mood in women with Bipolar I disorder.