title: Characterizing female bipolar alcoholic patients presenting for initial evaluation.
abstract: This study examined gender differences of age and race-matched group of bipolar disorder (BPO) patients with comorbid alcohol dependence (AD; n = 65; males = 35, females = 30) to a group of BPO patients without comorbid AD (n = 61; males = 22, females = 39). The two groups were also similar on marital status and frequency of BPO subtypes. The results revealed that female bipolar alcoholic patients were more likely to report depressive symptoms as compared to either male bipolar alcoholics or both male and female non-alcoholic bipolar patients. When compared to male bipolar alcoholics, they had higher frequency of depressed mood, slow motor behavior, low self-esteem, decreased libido, decreased appetite, and higher general anxiety symptoms. On the other hand, female bipolar alcoholics differed from female non-alcoholic bipolar patients on reports of mood lability, depressed mood, low self-esteem, suicidal indicators, decreased libido, and general anxiety symptoms. These results raise the question of whether alcohol increases the frequency of depressive symptoms among female bipolar patients.
authors: Center for Psychiatric and Chemical Dependency Services, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. salloumim@msx.upmc.edu
authors: I M
authors: IM
authors: Salloum
authors: J R
authors: JR
authors: Cornelius
authors: J E
authors: JE
authors: Mezzich
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Kirisci
authors: D C
authors: DC
authors: Daley
authors: C R
authors: CR
authors: Spotts
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Zuckoff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors