Risk factors for the bipolar and depression spectra.
OBJECTIVE
To identify risk factors for mood disorders in a community sample studied from the ages of 20 to 35 years.


METHODS
Social characteristics, a family history of mood disorders and some personality features were analysed as risk factors for bipolar and depressive disorders by means of logistic regression.


RESULTS
Frequent 'ups and downs' of mood were the strongest risk factor for both bipolar and depressive disorders; a weaker risk factor for both was emotional/vegetative lability (neuroticism). An additional risk factor for bipolar disorders was a positive family history of mania, whereas for depression it was a positive family history of depression/fatigue. As a risk factor for bipolar disorders, 'ups and downs' were much stronger than a positive family history of mania. Frequent ups and downs were independent of the family history of mood disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that mood regulation should be investigated as a new, very important independent risk factor for mood disorders.
Angst
J
J
Psychiatric University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
Gamma
A
A
Endrass
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005195:Family Relations; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors