In addition to symptom severity, patients with bipolar I and bipolar II disorder differed in terms of clinical characteristics in these studies, as shown on the slide.1-3 Patients with bipolar I disorder experienced higher rates of lifetime substance abuse than those with bipolar II disorder.1 Patients with bipolar II disorder experienced fewer changes in weekly symptom status than those with bipolar I disorder, however both disorders involved changes over time in symptom status and mood polarity.1-3
References:
1. Judd LL, Akiskal HS, Schettler PJ, et al. The comparative clinical phenotype and long term longitudinal episode course of bipolar I and II: a clinical spectrum or distinct disorders? J Affect Disord 2003; 73 (1–2): 19–32.
2. Judd LL, Akiskal HS, Schettler PJ, et al. The long-term natural history of the weekly symptomatic status of bipolar I disorder. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2002; 59 (6): 530–537.
3. Judd LL, Akiskal HS, Schettler PJ, et al. A prospective investigation of the natural history of the long-term weekly symptomatic status of bipolar II disorder. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2003; 60 (3): 261–269.