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The Bipolar Spectrum: Myth or Reality?

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Abstract

The idea of a “bipolar spectrum” is controversial due to 1) lack of widely accepted definitions, 2) concern that spectrum definitions might subsume cases with non-bipolar disorders, 3) worry that “diagnostic creep” may lead practitioners to overdiagnose bipolar disorder in marginal cases, and 4) worry that more diagnosis of bipolar spectrum may increase aggressive pharmacotherapy. These concerns are weighed against theoretical and empiric evidence converging in support of the bipolar spectrum as having prognostic and prescriptive validity. Practitioners can use inexpensive and practical strategies to incorporate the spectrum concept into their work while minimizing risks of overdiagnosis or unnecessary medication exposure.

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Acknowledgments

Dr. Youngstrom is partially supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health; has received royalties from the American Psychological Association for online continuing education; and has received payment for development of continuing education events from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Psychological Association, and state psychological associations.

Disclosure

Dr. Youngstrom has received travel support from Bristol-Myers Squibb. Ms. Van Meter and Dr. Perez Algorta reported no potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of North Carolina, CB #3270, Davie Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-3270, USA

    Eric Youngstrom

  2. Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Anna Van Meter

  3. Centro Clinico del Sur, Montevideo, Uruguay; Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Guillermo Perez Algorta

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  1. Eric Youngstrom
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  2. Anna Van Meter
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  3. Guillermo Perez Algorta
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Correspondence to Eric Youngstrom.

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Youngstrom, E., Van Meter, A. & Algorta, G.P. The Bipolar Spectrum: Myth or Reality?. Curr Psychiatry Rep 12, 479–489 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-010-0153-3

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