Psychophysiological correlates of 'bipolarity'

Four hundred patients with major affective disorders were divided into six groups based on lifetime composite evaluations of the intensity, frequency, and duration of their high energy-positive mood states. This division was termed degree of 'bipolarity'. Within the non-bipolar I patients (groups 1-4) the rating of 'bipolarity' was found to be significantly positively associated with enuresis, classical migraine, Raynaud's disease, learning disorders, fingernail biting, and episodic phenomena. The possible significance of this non-bipolar I 'bipolarity' continuum construct is discussed. A significant discontinuity was found between 'bipolarity' groups 5/6 and group 4 in six of the 14 psychophysiologic conditions evaluated.