Bipolar I and II versus unipolar depression: Clinical differences and impulsivity/aggression traits

K. Dervic, M. Garcia-Amador, K. Sudol, P. Freed, D. A. Brent, J. J. Mann, J. M. Harkavy-Friedman, M. A. Oquendo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

44 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: To investigate distinguishing features between bipolar I, II and unipolar depression, and impulsivity/aggression traits in particular. Methods: Six hundred and eighty-five (n=. 685) patients in a major depressive episode with lifetime Unipolar (UP) depression (n=. 455), Bipolar I (BP-I) disorder (n=. 151), and Bipolar II (BP-II) (n=. 79) disorder were compared in terms of their socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Results: Compared to unipolar patients, BP-I and BP-II depressed patients were significantly younger at onset of their first depressive episode, and were more likely to experience their first depressive episode before/at age of 15. They also had more previous affective episodes, more first- and second-degree relatives with history of mania, more current psychotic and subsyndromal manic symptoms, and received psychopharmacological and psychotherapy treatment at an earlier age. Furthermore, BP-I and BP-II depressed patients had higher lifetime impulsivity, aggression, and hostility scores. With regard to bipolar subtypes, BP-I patients had more trait-impulsivity and lifetime aggression than BP-II patients whereas the latter had more hostility than BP-I patients. As for co-morbid disorders, Cluster A and B Personality Disorders, alcohol and substance abuse/dependence and anxiety disorders were more prevalent in BP-I and BP-II than in unipolar patients. Whereas the three groups did not differ on other socio-demographic variables, BP-I patients were significantly more often unemployed that UP patients. Conclusion: Our findings comport with major previous findings on differences between bipolar and unipolar depression. As for trait characteristics, bipolar I and II depressed patients had more life-time impulsivity and aggression/hostility than unipolar patients. In addition, bipolar I and II patients also differed on these trait characteristics.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)106-113
Number of pages8
JournalEuropean Psychiatry
Volume30
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 1 2015

Keywords

  • Aggression
  • Impulsivity
  • Mood
  • Personality disorder
  • Substance abuse

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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