Prodromal symptoms of a first manic episode: a qualitative study to the perspectives of patients with bipolar disorder and their caregivers’
Abstract Background Diagnosing bipolar disorder (BD) is challenging, and adequate treatment is of major importance to minimalize the consequences of the illness. Early recognition is one way to address this. Although in clinical research the prodromal phase of BD is gaining interest, the perspective...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2024-11-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Bipolar Disorders |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40345-024-00360-9 |
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| author | Eva F. Maassen Lotte Maathuis Barbara J. Regeer Ralph W. Kupka Eline J. Regeer |
| author_facet | Eva F. Maassen Lotte Maathuis Barbara J. Regeer Ralph W. Kupka Eline J. Regeer |
| author_sort | Eva F. Maassen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Diagnosing bipolar disorder (BD) is challenging, and adequate treatment is of major importance to minimalize the consequences of the illness. Early recognition is one way to address this. Although in clinical research the prodromal phase of BD is gaining interest, the perspective of patients with BD and their caregivers on prodromal symptoms is still lacking. The aim of this study is to gain insights in prodromal symptoms of patients with BD and their caregivers before the onset of a first manic episode. Methods A qualitative research method was used to investigate prodromal symptoms one year prior to a first manic episode. In-depth interviews were conducted with patients with BD type I and their caregivers. Only patients with a first manic episode in the previous five years were included. Results The prodromal symptoms from patients’ and caregivers’ perspectives could be clustered into seven themes, with underlying subthemes: behavior (increased activity, destructive behavior, disinhibited behavior, inadequate behavior, changes in appearance), physical changes (changes in sleep, physical signals, differences in facial expression), communication (reciprocity, process, changes in use of social media), thought (process and content), cognition (changes in attention and concentration, forgetfulness), emotions (positive emotions, more intense emotions, mood swings), and personality (more pronounced manifestation of existing personality traits). Conclusion Patients with bipolar I disorder and their caregivers described subsyndromal manic features one year prior to a first manic episode. In addition, they recognized mood lability, physical changes and more pronounced manifestation of existing personality traits. The results of this study confirm the presence of a prodromal phase. In clinical practice, monitoring of prodromal symptoms of BD can be useful in patients with depression, especially those with a familial risk of BD. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bf5bfd12a2f34b3eae76af41f5e14820 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2194-7511 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Bipolar Disorders |
| spelling | doaj-art-bf5bfd12a2f34b3eae76af41f5e148202024-11-17T12:06:43ZengSpringerOpenInternational Journal of Bipolar Disorders2194-75112024-11-011211810.1186/s40345-024-00360-9Prodromal symptoms of a first manic episode: a qualitative study to the perspectives of patients with bipolar disorder and their caregivers’Eva F. Maassen0Lotte Maathuis1Barbara J. Regeer2Ralph W. Kupka3Eline J. Regeer4Department Bipolar Disorders, Altrecht Institute for Mental Health CareHet Nederlandse Rode Kruis VerenigingskantoorAthena Institute, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, VU University AmsterdamDepartment Bipolar Disorders, Altrecht Institute for Mental Health CareDepartment Bipolar Disorders, Altrecht Institute for Mental Health CareAbstract Background Diagnosing bipolar disorder (BD) is challenging, and adequate treatment is of major importance to minimalize the consequences of the illness. Early recognition is one way to address this. Although in clinical research the prodromal phase of BD is gaining interest, the perspective of patients with BD and their caregivers on prodromal symptoms is still lacking. The aim of this study is to gain insights in prodromal symptoms of patients with BD and their caregivers before the onset of a first manic episode. Methods A qualitative research method was used to investigate prodromal symptoms one year prior to a first manic episode. In-depth interviews were conducted with patients with BD type I and their caregivers. Only patients with a first manic episode in the previous five years were included. Results The prodromal symptoms from patients’ and caregivers’ perspectives could be clustered into seven themes, with underlying subthemes: behavior (increased activity, destructive behavior, disinhibited behavior, inadequate behavior, changes in appearance), physical changes (changes in sleep, physical signals, differences in facial expression), communication (reciprocity, process, changes in use of social media), thought (process and content), cognition (changes in attention and concentration, forgetfulness), emotions (positive emotions, more intense emotions, mood swings), and personality (more pronounced manifestation of existing personality traits). Conclusion Patients with bipolar I disorder and their caregivers described subsyndromal manic features one year prior to a first manic episode. In addition, they recognized mood lability, physical changes and more pronounced manifestation of existing personality traits. The results of this study confirm the presence of a prodromal phase. In clinical practice, monitoring of prodromal symptoms of BD can be useful in patients with depression, especially those with a familial risk of BD.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40345-024-00360-9Bipolar disorderProdromal symptomsManiaQualitative researchPatients’ perspectivesCaregivers’ perspective |
| spellingShingle | Eva F. Maassen Lotte Maathuis Barbara J. Regeer Ralph W. Kupka Eline J. Regeer Prodromal symptoms of a first manic episode: a qualitative study to the perspectives of patients with bipolar disorder and their caregivers’ International Journal of Bipolar Disorders Bipolar disorder Prodromal symptoms Mania Qualitative research Patients’ perspectives Caregivers’ perspective |
| title | Prodromal symptoms of a first manic episode: a qualitative study to the perspectives of patients with bipolar disorder and their caregivers’ |
| title_full | Prodromal symptoms of a first manic episode: a qualitative study to the perspectives of patients with bipolar disorder and their caregivers’ |
| title_fullStr | Prodromal symptoms of a first manic episode: a qualitative study to the perspectives of patients with bipolar disorder and their caregivers’ |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prodromal symptoms of a first manic episode: a qualitative study to the perspectives of patients with bipolar disorder and their caregivers’ |
| title_short | Prodromal symptoms of a first manic episode: a qualitative study to the perspectives of patients with bipolar disorder and their caregivers’ |
| title_sort | prodromal symptoms of a first manic episode a qualitative study to the perspectives of patients with bipolar disorder and their caregivers |
| topic | Bipolar disorder Prodromal symptoms Mania Qualitative research Patients’ perspectives Caregivers’ perspective |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40345-024-00360-9 |
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