From the Temperaments to the Bipolar Mixed States: Essential Steps for the Clinicians on Understanding The Mixity

The notion of "mixity" of the dysphoric phases of the bipolarity includes the most insidious symptoms of the bipolar spectrum of mood disorders: the overlapping between depression-restlessness-irritability-grief-tension-anxiety can cause worsening of the mood disorders and in the most acute phases may cause increased risk of major behavioural disruption including murder and suicide. The "mixity" is a dynamic notion describing the presence of overlapping symptoms of mixed states, in an increasing intensity level. The early utilization of the rating scale on mixed states, "GT-MSRS", which can demonstrate the level of "mixity" of the mood disorder, can prevent this. Mixed states occur in an average of 40% of bipolar patients over a lifetime;when considering bipolarity the notion of the "mixity" becomes the conceptual reference point of the diagnostic process.