Accomplishments

Psychotic features in patients with Bipolar I Mood Disorder current episode mania


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Category
Articles
Publisher
Desousa Foundation
Publishing Date
01-Apr-2016
volume
3
Issue
2
Pages
143-151
  • Abstract

Background: Psychosis is quite common in Bipolar Disorder, with approximately half of the patients possessing a lifetime history of psychotic symptoms during a mood episode. Yet there has been little focus on psychotic mania as a meaningful subtype. The aims and objectives of the current research were to study the prevalence of psychotic features in patients with Bipolar I Mood Disorder in Mania, to study the sociodemographic and illness related variables of patients with psychotic features in Bipolar I Mood Disorder in Mania and to compare the patients of Bipolar I Mood Disorders in Mania with and without psychotic features. Methods: 50 consecutive patients diagnosed as having Bipolar I Mood Disorder currently in mania were selected. The patients were clinically assessed for delusions and hallucinations and their scores on the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) were noted. They were then divided into two groups viz. with and without psychotic features and compared on sociodemographic and illness related variables. Results: 58% of the patients showed the presence of psychotic features, with grandiose delusions being the most common type of psychotic symptoms. Patients with psychotic features had significantly higher scores on the YMRS and BPRS. Discussion: Our findings are in keeping with earlier research which also shows that psychotic symptoms tend to occur in severe mania. Conclusion: Psychotic symptoms are common in mania and need to be evaluated.