Associated Conditions for Bipolar disorder
Excerpts on associated medical conditions for Bipolar disorder:
Bipolar Disorder: NIMH (Excerpt)
People with bipolar disorder often have abnormal thyroid gland
function.5
Because too much or too little thyroid hormone alone can lead to
mood and energy changes, it is important that thyroid levels are
carefully monitored by a physician.
(Source: excerpt from Bipolar Disorder: NIMH)
Bipolar Disorder: NIMH (Excerpt)
Alcohol and drug abuse are very common among people with bipolar
disorder. Research findings suggest that many factors may contribute to
these substance abuse problems, including self-medication of symptoms,
mood symptoms either brought on or perpetuated by substance abuse, and
risk factors that may influence the occurrence of both bipolar disorder
and substance use disorders.24
Treatment for co-occurring substance abuse, when present, is an important
part of the overall treatment plan.
Anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and
obsessive-compulsive disorder, also may be common in people with bipolar
disorder.25 ,26
Co-occurring anxiety disorders may respond to the treatments used for
bipolar disorder, or they may require separate treatment. For more
information on anxiety disorders, contact NIMH (see below).
(Source: excerpt from Bipolar Disorder: NIMH)
Bipolar Disorder Research at the National Institute of Mental Health: NIMH (Excerpt)
The most common co-occurring illnesses among people with bipolar
disorder are substance abuse disorders. Approximately 60 percent of people
with bipolar disorder have drug and/or alcohol abuse or dependence
problems – the highest rate across all patients with major psychiatric
illnesses. (Source: excerpt from Bipolar Disorder Research at the National Institute of Mental Health: NIMH)
Bipolar Disorder Research at the National Institute of Mental Health: NIMH (Excerpt)
Other research has indicated that certain anxiety disorders may
co-occur with bipolar disorder. In one recent NIMH-supported study of
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in people with bipolar disorder or
schizophrenia, almost all patients reported having experienced at least
one traumatic event in their lifetime. (28)
While 43 percent of study participants met criteria for PTSD, only
two percent had the diagnosis listed in their medical charts. The results
suggest that PTSD commonly co-occurs with severe mental disorders. Routine
screening for PTSD during medical visits would lead to improved diagnosis
and treatment of this anxiety disorder, thus allowing the other
co-occurring illness – bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc. – to be more
effectively treated.
Another NIMH-funded study found a high co-occurrence of both PTSD and
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) among patients with bipolar disorder
across a 12-month period. (29)
While the course of PTSD was independent of the mood disorder, the
course of OCD frequently waxed and waned along with mood episodes. More
research is needed to determine the nature of this apparent connection
between OCD and bipolar disorder in some patients.
(Source: excerpt from Bipolar Disorder Research at the National Institute of Mental Health: NIMH)
Bipolar Disorder Research at the National Institute of Mental Health: NIMH (Excerpt)
When the illness begins before or soon after puberty, it is often
characterized by a continuous, rapid-cycling, irritable, and mixed symptom
state that may co-occur with disruptive behavior disorders, particularly
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or conduct disorder (CD),
or may have features of these disorders as initial symptoms. (Source: excerpt from Bipolar Disorder Research at the National Institute of Mental Health: NIMH)
Bipolar Disorder Research at the National Institute of Mental Health: NIMH (Excerpt)
A number of studies have found that among people with bipolar disorder,
women are more likely than men to have a thyroid disorder. (1)
In addition, lithium treatment may cause low thyroid levels in some
patients, particularly women, which may account for some depressive
episodes that occur during treatment. Low thyroid levels also have been
associated with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. Thyroid hormone
supplementation may be needed to restore normal thyroid levels. However,
since too much or too little thyroid hormone alone can lead to mood and
energy fluctuations, it is important that thyroid levels are carefully
monitored in all patients with bipolar disorder.
(Source: excerpt from Bipolar Disorder Research at the National Institute of Mental Health: NIMH)
List of associated medical conditions for Bipolar disorder:
The list of conditions mentioned by various sources
as associated with Bipolar disorder includes:
About associated conditions for Bipolar disorder:
Associated conditions are those which appear
statistically related, but do not have
a clear cause or effect relationship.
Whereas the complications
are caused by Bipolar disorder,
and underlying causes
may be causes of Bipolar disorder,
the following list shows associated conditions
that simply appear with higher frequency in people
who have Bipolar disorder.
In some cases, there may be overlap
between this list and risk factors
for Bipolar disorder.
People with Bipolar disorder may be more likely to
get a condition on the list of associated conditions,
or the reverse may be true, or both.
Whether they are causes of, caused by, or simply
coincidentally related to Bipolar disorder
is not always clear.
For general information,
see Associated Condition Misdiagnosis.
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