What basic emotions are experienced in bipolar disorder?

The aims of this study were to investigate the basic emotions experienced within and between episodes of bipolar disorder and, more specifically, to test the predictions made by the Schematic, Propositional, Analogical and Associative Representation Systems (SPAARS) model that mania is predominantly characterized by the coupling of happiness with anger whereas depression (unipolar and bipolar) primarily comprises a coupling between sadness and disgust.

A cross-sectional design was employed to examine the differences within and between the bipolar, unipolar and control groups in the emotional profiles. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVAs.

Psychiatric diagnoses in the clinical groups were confirmed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID). It was not administered in the control group. Current mood state was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory-II, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Bech-Rafaelsen Mania Scale. The Basic Emotions Scale was used to explore the emotional profiles.

The results confirmed the predictions made by the SPAARS model about emotions in mania and depression. Outwith these episodes, individuals with bipolar disorder experienced elevated levels of disgust.

Evidence was found in support of the proposal of SPAARS that there are five basic emotions, which form the basis for both normal emotional experience and emotional disorders. Disgust is an important feature of bipolar disorder. Strengths and limitations are discussed, and suggestions for future research are explored.