Background: Bipolar disorder is a complex mood disorder, which is often underrecognized or diagnosed with a substantial delay. Therefore, it is important to determine factors that might predict the...Show moreBackground: Bipolar disorder is a complex mood disorder, which is often underrecognized or diagnosed with a substantial delay. Therefore, it is important to determine factors that might predict the symptomatology of bipolar disorder. Research suggests that the psychiatric family history of bipolar disorder patients may be a potential predictor. The current study investigates whether (the degree of) psychiatric family history of mood disorders has an effect on the symptom severity of bipolar disorder patients. Methods: The present cross-sectional study included 69 bipolar disorder patients. Patients with first- and second-degree family members, patients with only first-degree family members, and patients without family members with mood disorders were compared on symptom severity. Symptom severity was measured in terms of age of onset, number of previous episodes, suicidality and daily functioning. Results: The results indicated that (the degree of) psychiatric family history of mood disorders did not have an effect on symptom severity in terms of age of onset, number of previous episodes, suicidality and daily functioning. Conclusion: The outcomes of this study suggest that the relationship between the psychiatric family history of mood disorders and the symptom severity of bipolar disorder patients might be mediated or moderated by other factors, such as the degree of substance abuse or the type of mood disorder. Further research is necessary in order to create more insight in these potentially influential factors, which may facilitate the identification of bipolar disorder patients’ clinical profile.Show less
