Bipolar Support Groups.com blog

2015By Julianna Photopoulos

A high childhood IQ is linked to an increased risk of bipolar disorder in adulthood, according to new research published in the British Journal of Psychiatry.

Scientists from the Universities of Glasgow, Bristol, Cardiff and Texas examined data from a large birth cohort, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), to identify the IQ of 1881 children at the age of eight. These same individuals were then tested for manic traits at the age of 22 or 23.

Each person gave statements that provided a score out of 100 relating to how many manic traits they had previously experienced. The test also included questions from a checklist often used to diagnose bipolar disorder. It was found that individuals who scored in the top 10 percent of manic features had a childhood IQ almost 10 points higher than those who scored in the bottom 10 percent. This association appeared to be strongest for those with a high verbal IQ.

Lead author Professor Daniel Smith from the University of Glasgow said: ‘Our finding has implications for understanding how liability to bipolar disorder may have been selected through generations.’

‘One possibility is that serious disorders of mood such as bipolar disorder are the price that human beings have had to pay for more adaptive traits such as intelligence, creativity and verbal proficiency,’ he added. 

Professor Smith emphasised that having a high IQ is only an advantage. He told the Guardian: ‘A high IQ is not a clear-cut risk factor for bipolar, but perhaps the genes that confer intelligence can get expressed as illness in the context of other risk factors, such as exposure to maternal influenza in the womb or childhood sexual abuse.’

Previous studies have also found a link between ‘creativity’ and the risk of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (see BioNews 806), as well as a possible association between autism-related genes with higher intelligence (see BioNews 794).

One in every 100 people in the UK is affected by bipolar disorder, which causes extreme moods swings with sufferers experiencing switching periods or episodes of depression and mania.

Chief executive of Bipolar UK, Suzanne Hudson, said: ‘Given the rise in requests for support from parents and families of children to Bipolar UK, research that helps identify young people more at risk of developing bipolar disorder is vitally important’.

SOURCES & REFERENCES

Childhood IQ and risk of bipolar disorder in adulthood: prospective birth cohort studyBritish Journal of Psychiatry | 19 August 2015High childhood IQ linked to bipolar disorder later in lifeThe Telegraph | 19 August 2015How bipolar disorder could be price humans pay for their intelligence: High IQ in childhood raises the risk of developing the illness in later lifeMail Online | 19 August 2015Intelligence, creativity and bipolar disorder may share underlying geneticsThe Guardian | 19 August 2015Scientists discover link between childhood IQ and bipolar disorderUniversity of Glasgow (press release) | 19 August 2015

People also ask

What are the 4 types of bipolar?Or the cycles can be much longer, lasting up to several weeks or even months. According to the American Psychiatric Association, there are four major categories of bipolar disorder: bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, cyclothymic disorder, and bipolar disorder due to another medical or substance abuse disorder.Jan 5, 2019

https://www.talkspace.com › blog

4 Different Types of Bipolar Disorder, and How They’re Treated …

More resultsWhat are 5 signs of bipolar?Both a manic and a hypomanic episode include three or more of these symptoms:

• Abnormally upbeat, jumpy or wired.
• Increased activity, energy or agitation.
• Exaggerated sense of well-being and self-confidence (euphoria)
• Decreased need for sleep.
• Unusual talkativeness.
• Racing thoughts.
• Distractibility.

More items…•Feb 16, 2021

https://www.mayoclinic.org › syc-2…

Bipolar disorder – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

More resultsAre bipolar people smart?The test also included questions from a checklist often used to diagnose bipolar disorder. It was found that individuals who scored in the top 10 percent of manic features had a childhood IQ almost 10 points higher than those who scored in the bottom 10 percent.Aug 24, 2015

Connecting to resources

• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)www.dbsalliance.org
  800-826-3632
• Families for Depression Awarenesswww.familyaware.org
  781-890-0220
• The Jed Foundationwww.jedfoundation.org
  212-647-7544
• Mental Health America (MHA)www.nmha.org
  800-969-6642
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)www.nami.org

Situation

Sensations

Negative thoughts

How I coped

Mood Chart:

Hours slept:

Triggers:

How I felt:

MOOD :

1. Great.
2. Good.
3. Slight depression.
4. Depressed
5. Manic

Standing for what you believe in,

Regardless of the odds against you,

and the pressure that tears at your resistance,

…means courage

Keeping a smile on your face,

When inside you feel like dying,

For the sake of supporting others,

…means strength

Stopping at nothing,

And doing what’s in your heart,

You know is right,

…means determination

Doing more than is expected,

To make another’s life a little more bearable,

Without uttering a single complaint,

…means compassion

Helping a friend in need,

No matter the time or effort,

To the best of your ability,

…means loyalty

Giving more than you have,

And expecting nothing

But nothing in return,

…means selflessness

Holding your head high,

And being the best you know you can be

When life seems to fall apart at your feet,

Facing each difficulty with the confidence

That time will bring you better tomorrow’s,

And never giving up,

…means confidence.

Make sure your only carrying today’s burdens. 
Too often we carry far more than necessary,
Reduce your load by dropping tomorrow’s worries, and yesterday’s baggage. 
Present pressures and problems are usually enough. 
Leave tomorrow’s until later. 

“Every morning cries to us: do wat u ought and trust what may be. 

Johann Wolfgang Goethe. 1749-1832

Bipolar disorder is typically characterized by phases of depression followed by episodes of mania, with very few phases where mood is stable. A person living with the condition may experience either phase for weeks or months at a time, which may significantly interfere with their ability to manage daily activities such as working or socializing. During a manic phase, bipolar individuals tend to outperform others at work, but during a depressive phase they may find it difficult to function and perform.

Therapy interventions

Related Stories

• Study explains why antipsychotic medications lead to weight gain, promote metabolic syndrome
• ‘Peer respites’ provide an alternative to psychiatric wards during pandemic
• GSK-3 inhibitors show promise in treating coronavirus infections

Therapy interventions for bipolar disorder include:

Cognitive behavioural therapy or counselling

These approaches aim to alter negative thought and behaviour patterns that lead to difficulty in coping with the condition.null

Family-focused counselling

This approach is aimed at family members and caregivers, providing them with support and guidance in coping with the impacts of bipolar disorder on family relationships. The person suffering from bipolar disorder, their spouse and their family members need to understand the importance of adhering to medications such as mood stabilizers and being able to identify symptoms of an oncoming episode of severe depression or mania.

Group therapy

Counselling individuals as part of a group can improve their ability to cope with the symptoms of their condition. Identifying with other individuals suffering from similar disorders can ease the feelings of isolation or loneliness that living with mental illness can cause. In addition, skills-based programs can help patients learn to cope with medication side-effects, problems in the work place and relationship issues.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

ECT is used in severe cases of bipolar disorder, where medication and/or psychotherapy have failed to help an individual. A muscle relaxant and an anaesthetic are administered to render the procedure painless and free of anxiety. On average, ECT treatments last between 30 and 90 seconds and the patient usually recovers after around around 5 to 15 minutes. The procedure is usually performed in a day care unit. Some side effects of the procedure include confusion, disorientation and loss of memory.

Diagnosing bipolar disorder involves a detailed analysis of the symptoms of the condition. Bipolar disorder is typically characterized by mood swings that range from depressive phases where a person may feel low, lethargic and suicidal through to manic phases where they may may feel excessively active, happy and jittery. Either phase may last for periods of weeks or months at a time.

Related Stories

• Differences in gene readouts may shed light on mental disorders
• Study explains why antipsychotic medications lead to weight gain, promote metabolic syndrome
• Genetic study identifies sex-dependent differences in major psychiatric disorders

Diagnosis cannot be confirmed with a brain scan or a blood test; however, there are several recommended tests that are useful in diagnosing this condition. These include:null

• A detailed physical examination
• A detailed inspection of the history and onset of the patient’s symptoms, and the duration of depressive and manic episodes. The inability to sleep is a complication common to both the manic and depressive phases. During manic phases, the person may feel too “wired-up” or excited to sleep, while during depressive phases they may feel too low and sad to sleep.
• A brain scan and routine blood tests are also recommended. These tests may help detect brain conditions such as a brain tumor or stroke that may also cause symptoms of altered mental health. Blood is also tested to check levels of hormones such as thyroid hormone.
• Once other medical conditions are ruled out, a detailed mental health evaluation is performed, usually by a trained mental health professional or a psychiatrist. The patient’s family history of bipolar disorder or other mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or depression is evaluated as well as the patient’s symptoms including their duration, triggers of onset and severity. History may be obtained from the individual concerned as well as from their family, close relatives or spouse.

Presentation of bipolar disorder

In most cases, people with bipolar disorder visit the doctor while suffering from a depressive phase and having suicidal thoughts. However, some patients may present during a manic phase, particularly if they are also experiencing psychosis. Psychosis mayinvolve delusional thinking and hallucinations. People with unipolar disorder or depression do not suffer from mania and it is the presence of mania that specifically indicates bipolar disorder.

Sources

1. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Bipolar-disorder/Pages/Introduction.aspx
2. www.nimh.nih.gov/…/nimh-bipolar-adults.pdf
3. www.nami.org/…/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=67728
4. http://brfa.avenue.org/BADFactSheet.pdf
5. www.mentalhealthscreening.org/…/nimh%20Bipolar%20(brochure).pdf

Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder that was previously called manic depressive psychosis or manic depression. The condition is typically characterized by a mood that “swings” from a depressive state where an individual may feel down and lethargic to a manic phase that may cause them to feel hyperactive and jittery.

In a healthy individual, mood swings are usually transient, lasting for a few hours or a day. However, in the case of bipolar disorder, moods may last for weeks or months at a time with a normal mood being the exception.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder

• The depressive phaseIt is often the depressive phase that helps identify a person with bipolar disorder. Most patients are initially diagnosed with depression and treatment is begun before the manic phase manifests. Depression is typically characterized by feelings of worthlessness, sorrow, unhappiness, inability to sleep, loss of appetite and lack of interest in hobbies and daily activities. Suicidal tendencies are also common.null
• The manic phaseManic phase is typically characterized by feelings of excessive happiness, grand and ambitious planning, enhanced creativity, talking loudly, overspending of money, and an inability to sleep or eat due to excitement. Psychosis may also feature, with the patient experiencing hallucinations or delusions.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Related Stories

• Differences in gene readouts may shed light on mental disorders
• Study: Many patients want virtual mental health care even after the pandemic subsides
• UH researcher examines whether early drug intervention can curb weight gain in mentally ill children

Individuals are evaluated for bipolar disorder using psychological tests and a detailed examination of their symptom history. Treatment is focused on controlling the exacerbation and severity of manic and depressive symptoms. Usually, a combination of approaches is used to control the condition, which may include:

• Medications such as mood stabilzers, antidepressants, and antipsychotics. The mood stabilizer lithium helps prevent episodes of mania and depression. Antidepressantshelp to control depression and prevent suicidal thoughts, while antipsychotics can reduce psychosis.
• Psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and counselling help the patient to cope with depression and provide advice about how to lead a life that is as normal as possible.
• Lifestyle modifications include regular exercise, eating a healthy, balanced diet, reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, and the cessation of smoking or any substance abuse.

Sources

1. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Bipolar-disorder/Pages/Introduction.aspx
2. www.nimh.nih.gov/…/nimh-bipolar-adults.pdf
3. www.nami.org/…/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=67728
4. http://brfa.avenue.org/BADFactSheet.pdf
5. www.mentalhealthscreening.org/…/nimh%20Bipolar%20(brochure).pdf