The bipolar spectrum consists of features of bipolarity bedsides the classic kind found in DSM-IV in the criteria of bipolar disorder type I. Bipolar I disorder is defined by the presence of at least one lifetime manic or mixed episodes.
Bipolar spectrum disorder, occurs in person with severe major depression but not spontaneous hypomania or mania and yet with many signs of bipolarity.
Modern concepts of bipolar disorder are still developing and can include bipolar I and II, hypomania, cyclothymia, mania with depression and depression with hypomania, as well as highly recurrently major depression.
There may be long periods of normalcy between such mood swings, A smaller number of individuals in such families may show ‘schizoaffective’ disorders, characterized by both ongoing mood pathology and thought disorder. Hence a bipolar liability may manifest in a variety of ways.
Bipolar spectrum disorder
