Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Handwriting Analysis Indicates Spontaneous Dyskinesias in Neuroleptic Naïve Adolescents at High Risk for Psychosis
05:52

Handwriting Analysis Indicates Spontaneous Dyskinesias in Neuroleptic Naïve Adolescents at High Risk for Psychosis

Published on: November 21, 2013

Age at onset of bipolar affective illness

A W Loranger, P M Levine

    Archives of General Psychiatry
    |November 1, 1978
    PubMed

    Insights

    Bipolar disorder often emerges in early adulthood, with one-third hospitalized before age 25. Early signs of this affective illness can appear in adolescence, highlighting the need for prompt diagnosis in young individuals.

    Area of Science:

    • Psychiatry
    • Clinical Psychology
    • Neuroscience

    Background:

    • Bipolar affective illness (bipolar disorder) diagnosis and onset are critical for effective treatment.
    • Understanding the typical age of onset is essential for early intervention strategies.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To determine the age at onset for bipolar affective illness using DSM-III criteria for mania.
    • To analyze onset patterns across different demographic factors.

    Main Methods:

    • Studied 200 patients (100 males, 100 females) meeting DSM-III criteria for mania.
    • Utilized three onset indices: first hospitalization, first treatment, and first apparent symptoms.
    • Constructed cumulative onset percentage tables by age quinquennia.

    Main Results:

    • One-third of patients were hospitalized before age 25; 20% showed adolescent-onset illness.
    • The peak period for bipolar disorder onset was the early 20s.
    • Onset was rare before age 13 and after age 60; demographic factors showed no significant impact.

    Conclusions:

    • Bipolar affective illness frequently begins in young adulthood and adolescence.
    • Affective disorders warrant consideration in the differential diagnosis of mental health conditions in youth.
    • Early identification of bipolar disorder is crucial for timely intervention.

    More Related Videos

    Measurement of Fronto-limbic Activity Using an Emotional Oddball Task in Children with Familial High Risk for Schizophrenia13:08

    Measurement of Fronto-limbic Activity Using an Emotional Oddball Task in Children with Familial High Risk for Schizophrenia

    Published on: December 2, 2015

    Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder04:42

    Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder

    Published on: May 2, 2025

    Related Concept Videos

    Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy01:26

    Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy

    Antipsychotic drugs are a crucial treatment method for acute and chronic psychoses, bipolar illness, and behavioral disorders. The selection of these drugs depends on several factors, including the state of the disease, clinical judgment, possible drug interactions, and the patient's sensitivity to adverse effects. In immediate scenarios, such as delirium and dementia, short-term treatment with low doses of high-potency typical or atypical agents can effectively manage symptom exacerbation. For...
    Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview01:24

    Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview

    Mania, a psychological condition characterized by elevated mood, increased energy, and reduced sleep need, is part of the bipolar disorder cycle. The exact cause of mania isn't entirely known, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. Bipolar disorder involves alternating manic and depressive episodes. Mood stabilizers like lithium, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants help manage these episodes. Lithium carbonate is particularly effective as a...
    Bipolar Disorder01:30

    Bipolar Disorder

    Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition marked by significant mood fluctuations, including episodes of mania and depression. Elevated energy levels, heightened mood or irritability, impulsive behavior, reduced sleep needs, rapid speech, racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, and distractibility characterize mania. Individuals with bipolar disorder often alternate between depressive and manic states, with periods of emotional stability lasting an average of six months to a year.
    Schizophrenia01:17

    Schizophrenia

    Schizophrenia, a term introduced by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1911, describes a severe psychological disorder marked by profound disruptions in attention, thought processes, language, emotion, and interpersonal relationships. The core feature of schizophrenia is psychosis — a state characterized by a fundamental detachment from reality. This disconnection manifests through distorted logic, impaired perception, and atypical behavior, severely affecting the lives of those diagnosed.
    Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

    Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia

    Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
    Borderline Personality Disorder01:25

    Borderline Personality Disorder

    Borderline Personality Disorder is a complex and multifaceted mental health condition characterized by pervasive instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, emotions, and impulse control. This instability manifests in extreme emotional reactions, fear of abandonment, and self-destructive behaviors. The disorder significantly impacts daily functioning, often leading to distress in both personal and professional domains.
    Genetic and Environmental Contributions
    Borderline Personality...