Lifestyle factors and Bipolar disorder: The effect of alcohol consumption and exercise on bipolar mood and the moderating effect of stress

Background: Bipolar disorder (BD) is considered a complex disease and certain lifestyle factors such as alcohol use, exercise and stress could perhaps influence the severity of the illness. The effect of alcohol on mood seems to still be unclear. Also, exercise seems to decrease depressive symptoms, but it seems unclear whether or not it is also beneficial for manic symptoms. Further, stress may be another factor that influence individuals’ decision in engaging in certain lifestyles which in turn may impact mood. This current study aimed to investigate the relationship between these lifestyle factors and bipolar mood. Method: Participants (N=58) age range between 19-61 year-old of which 37 were female and 21 were male who participated in the Bipolar Netherlands Cohort (BINCO), a longitudinal study of patients who have recently been diagnosed with BD. At baseline and at the 6 months follow up, the amount of alcohol consumption, exercise and stress were assessed, as well as manic...Show moreBackground: Bipolar disorder (BD) is considered a complex disease and certain lifestyle factors such as alcohol use, exercise and stress could perhaps influence the severity of the illness. The effect of alcohol on mood seems to still be unclear. Also, exercise seems to decrease depressive symptoms, but it seems unclear whether or not it is also beneficial for manic symptoms. Further, stress may be another factor that influence individuals’ decision in engaging in certain lifestyles which in turn may impact mood. This current study aimed to investigate the relationship between these lifestyle factors and bipolar mood. Method: Participants (N=58) age range between 19-61 year-old of which 37 were female and 21 were male who participated in the Bipolar Netherlands Cohort (BINCO), a longitudinal study of patients who have recently been diagnosed with BD. At baseline and at the 6 months follow up, the amount of alcohol consumption, exercise and stress were assessed, as well as manic symptoms (YMRS) and depressive symptoms (QIDS). Results: Alcohol consumption and exercise showed no significant associations with bipolar mood both at baseline and at the follow-up. However, exercise was found to show significant quadratic association with manic symptoms at the baseline. This result added useful information regarding the effect of exercise and its influence on manic mood in patients with BD. Also, stress was found to show no moderating effect between alcohol consumption and mood nor exercise and mood in BD. Conclusion: This study added interesting findings regarding the effect of alcohol consumption, exercise and stress on the severity of bipolar mood. This information could give a better understanding of how lifestyle factors could perhaps influence BD.Show less

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Lifestyle factors and Bipolar disorder: The effect of alcohol consumption and exercise on bipolar mood and the moderating effect of stress