Social support in bipolar disorder: its relevance to remission and relapse.
OBJECTIVE
While an association between low-level social support and depression has been found in many studies, its relevance in bipolar illness has been rarely investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of social support in the remission and relapse of bipolar disorder.


METHODS
We obtained ratings from 94 stabilized bipolar patients using two different questionnaires that measure perceived social support: the Interview Schedule for Social Interaction and the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List.


RESULTS
Significantly lower social support was found in patients in partial recovery compared with those in full recovery (p = 0.003). Patients who relapsed during a 1-year prospective follow-up period perceived a significantly lower level of social support than patients with no relapse (p = 0.012).


CONCLUSIONS
Bipolar patients with full interepisode remission perceive more social support than those who do not achieve full remission. Poor social support may increase the risk of relapse in bipolar disorder.
Johnson
Lars
L
Department of Clinical Neuroscience, St Göran's Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. lars.johnson@spo.sll.se
Lundström
Ola
O
Aberg-Wistedt
Anna
A
Mathé
Aleksander A
AA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D003710:Demography; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards / Q000600:supply & distribution; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors