Broadening the diagnosis of bipolar disorder: benefits vs.risks

摘要: There is considerable debate over whether bipolar and related disorders that share common signs symptoms, but are currently defined as distinct clinical entities in DSM-IV ICD-10, may be better characterized falling within a more broadly “bipolar spectrum”. With spectrum view mind, the possibility of broadening diagnosis disorder has been proposed. This paper discusses some rationale for an expanded diagnostic scheme from both research perspectives light potential drawbacks. The ultimate goal to help identify etiopathogenesis these conditions guide treatment. To achieve this goal, researchers have increasingly their patient populations objective biological or endophenotypic markers transcend phenomenological observation. Although approach will likely continue produce beneficial results, upcoming ICD-10 revisions place increasing scrutiny on psychiatry’s classification systems pressure re-evaluate our conceptions disorder. However, until findings can provide consistent converging evidence validity broader conception, expansion dimensional should considered with caution.