Review, 2003
Does bipolar disorder affect women differently than men?
Yes. Bipolar disorder often starts later in women, who experience more depressive episodes and rapid mood cycling. The postpartum period is high-risk for onset or recurrence.
What they did
A review of how bipolar disorder presentation and course differ between women and men, including treatment considerations specific to women and pregnancy.
What they found
Bipolar disorder typically starts later in women than men. Women more often have depressive episodes, mixed mania, and rapid cycling. Women more frequently have other conditions like thyroid disease, migraine, obesity, and anxiety. The postpartum period is high-risk for bipolar onset or recurrence. Women may experience delayed diagnosis.
What it means for you
Bipolar disorder manifests differently in women with specific patterns of mood episodes and comorbid conditions. Gender-specific care is important, especially postpartum. This paper is about bipolar disorder, not PMS or PMDD. The main limit is that this is a review summarizing existing knowledge, not new research.
About the study
- Original title
- Gender differences in bipolar disorder
- Authors
- Arnold LM
- Journal
- The Psychiatric clinics of North America
- Year
- 2003
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- None - review of bipolar disorder in women vs men
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0193-953x(03)00036-4
Topics
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