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Early Detection and Intervention in Bipolar Affective Disorder: Targeting the Development of the Disorder

  • Bipolar Disorders (David S. Janowsky, Section Editor)
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Abstract

The diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder (BD) is often delayed, and preceded by incorrect diagnoses and potentially harmful treatment, while the development of the disorder is associated with suicidal behavior and help seeking. Several clinical features have been linked to an increased risk of going on to develop BD, in particular attenuated symptoms of BD, personality traits such as cyclothymia, and general psychopathologic symptoms. Several of these show high specificity, indicating that it may be possible to target detection and intervention in individuals at high risk of BD and perhaps moderate the course of the illness and improve treatment outcome. This article summarizes recent evidence on the characteristics of the prodrome to BD and discusses the potential value and challenges of early detection and intervention in BD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, P.O. Box 67, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, England, UK

    Oliver D. Howes & Irina Falkenberg

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotheraphy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany

    Irina Falkenberg

Authors
  1. Oliver D. Howes
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  2. Irina Falkenberg
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Correspondence to Oliver D. Howes.

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Howes, O.D., Falkenberg, I. Early Detection and Intervention in Bipolar Affective Disorder: Targeting the Development of the Disorder. Curr Psychiatry Rep 13, 493–499 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-011-0229-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-011-0229-8

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