Irritability in the Mix: An Exploratory Study of the Role of Irritability in Characterising Mood Disorders.

What was studied

This exploratory study looked at irritability and mixed mood states in bipolar disorder. It used data from a randomised trial of a psychological treatment. 82 patients were followed over 18 months. Scores of irritability and mood problems were taken many times. The team asked how these scores relate.

What they found

Irritability and mixed symptoms were significantly linked. The link stayed significant through the whole study. It held while the psychological treatment lowered both mood and irritability ratings. When mixed symptoms were absent, irritability still remained at times.

What it means for patients

The authors say irritability and mixed symptoms are linked. They say irritability may run through bipolar disorder. They say it may be core to the illness. They call for more study of how irritability and mixed symptoms connect.

Why it is not certain yet

The study was exploratory. It used data from a trial built to test a psychological treatment. A link does not show that one thing causes the other. The abstract does not give the size of the effects.

Source

Irritability in the Mix: An Exploratory Study of the Role of Irritability in Characterising Mood Disorders.

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