HERITABLE FACTORS IN SEVERITY OF AFFECTIVE-ILLNESS

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 11  (1) , 31-42
Abstract
A review of clinical experience with 163 patients with primary affective disorder indicates that patients with a history characterized by recurrent depression interspersed with periods of hypomania (bipolar II) may have clinical courses that are distinguishable from bipolar I (depression with histories of mania) or unipolar patients. A prior history of suicide attempt and suicide after discharge from the research unit were most frequent among bipolar II patients. The family histories of bipolar I and bipolar II patients revealed similarly increased morbid risks for bipolar illness, whereas no bipolar illness was found in the 1st-degree relatives of unipolar patients. Patients classified as bipolar II should be separately considered in future studies of affective disorder.

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