In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers investigate the genetic associations and heritability between categorical and dimensional bipolar disorder (BD) models.
What is BD?
BD is a mental health disorder characterized by cyclical variations between depressive and manic mood and behavioral states that make it difficult to function and perform daily activities. According to recent estimates, 2-4% of adults in the United States will experience BD at some stage in their lifespan. Importantly, BD is commonly misdiagnosed or unrecognized for years after symptoms initially appear.
Subclinical BD symptoms that do not reach categorical diagnostic standards affect many of people. As a result, there is now a greater emphasis on dimensional psychopathology assessments like the mood disorder questionnaire (MDQ) that may better depict the full range of BD symptoms.
