Behavioral addictions in bipolar disorders: A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Behavioral addictions (BA) are linked to various psychiatric disorders.
• The comorbidity between BA and bipolar disorders (BD) requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and evaluate evidence on the association between BA and BD.
• To summarize prevalence, features, and treatment of BA-BD comorbidity.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of major electronic databases (inception to Dec 2017) following PRISMA guidelines.
• Inclusion of quantitative studies reporting on BA-BD comorbidity.
• Narrative synthesis of data from 28 selected articles out of 1250 initial studies.

Main Results:

• BA may be overrepresented in BD samples and vice versa.
• Pathological gambling and kleptomania were most prevalent BA, followed by compulsive buying, sexual behavior, and internet addiction.
• BA-BD comorbidity is associated with a more severe illness course and other psychiatric conditions like mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders.

Conclusions:

• Behavioral addictions and bipolar disorders commonly co-occur, impacting illness severity.
• Limited research exists on treatment strategies for BA-BD comorbidity.
• Routine screening for BA in BD patients is advised for early identification and management.