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Time course of illness prior to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2014

S Dodd ,
J Kulkarni ,
F Biffin ,
S Tahtalian ,
K Filia ,
S Filia ,
A de Castella ,
P Fitzgerald ,
W Montgomery  and
K Kelin
...Show all authors
S Dodd
Affiliation:
The University of Melbourne
J Kulkarni
Affiliation:
Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University
F Biffin
Affiliation:
Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University
S Tahtalian
Affiliation:
Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University
K Filia
Affiliation:
Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University
S Filia
Affiliation:
Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University
A de Castella
Affiliation:
Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University
P Fitzgerald
Affiliation:
Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University
W Montgomery
Affiliation:
Eli Lilly Australia Pty Ltd, West Ryde, NSW, Australia
K Kelin
Affiliation:
Eli Lilly Australia Pty Ltd, West Ryde, NSW, Australia
M Smith
Affiliation:
School of Applied Social and Human Sciences, University of Western Sydney
L Berk
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences: Barwon Health, The University of Melbourne, Australia
M Berk
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences: Barwon Health, The University of Melbourne, Australia
P Callaly
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences: Barwon Health, The University of Melbourne, Australia
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Abstract

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Type
Abstracts from ‘Brainwaves’— The Australasian Society for Psychiatric Research Annual Meeting 2006, 6–8 December, Sydney, Australia
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 18 , Issue 6 , December 2006 , pp. 248
Copyright
Copyright © 2006 Blackwell Munksgaard

Background:

Evidence suggests that diagnostic delay from first episode of illness may be many years. Treating illness early in its time course is associated with a better prognosis.

Methods:

Participants (n = 240) were enrolled in the Bipolar Comprehensive Outcomes Study (BCOS). A questionnaire was devised to collect information about participants from their first onset of symptoms of mental illness to when they received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder. The questionnaire was administered at interview by BCOS researchers when the participant was euthymic.

Results:

Symptoms of mental illness were first experienced at 20.17 ± 10.26 years (mean ± SD; n = 207) and mood swings at 21.19 ± 11.76 years (mean ± SD; n = 191). Symptoms of depression were first experienced at 21.11 ± 9.98 years (mean ± SD; n = 195), a full episode of depression at 23.64 ± 9.76 years (mean ± SD; n = 191), symptoms of mania at 24.24 ± 11.48 years (mean ± SD; n = 202) and a full episode of mania at 26.43 ± 10.41 years (mean ± SD; n = 196). Medical treatment was first sought at 26.26 ± 10.18 years (mean ± SD; n = 207). Participants first received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder at 31.43 ± 11.34 years (mean ± SD; n = 206). Having had a previous diagnosis other than bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder was reported by 116 of 206 participants who answered this question.

Conclusions:

Prior to being diagnosed and treated for bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder, participants typically experience a long time course of symptoms, episode and treatments.