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Scale matters : the need for a Bipolar Depression Rating Scale (BDRS)
journal contribution
posted on 2004-01-01, 00:00 authored by Michael BerkMichael Berk, G Malhi, P Mitchell, C Cahill, A Carman, D Hadzi-Pavlovic, Mary Hawkins, M TohenObjective: To briefly review the clinical and biological distinctions between unipolar and bipolar depression critiquing in particular currently available depression rating scales and discuss the need for a new observer-rated scale tailored to bipolar depression.
Method: Relevant literature pertaining to the symptomatic differences between bipolar disorder and unipolar disorder as well as their measurement using existing assessment scales was identified by computerized searches and reviews of scientific journals known to the authors.
Results: Bipolar depression is distinct from unipolar depression in terms of phenomenology and clinical characteristics. These distinguishing features can be used to identify bipolarity in patients that present with recurrent depressive episodes. This is important because current self-report and observer-rated scales are optimized for unipolar depression, and hence limited in their ability to accurately assess bipolar depression.
Conclusion: The development of a specific bipolar depression rating scale will improve the assessment of bipolar depression in both research and clinical settings and assist the development of better treatments and interventions.
Method: Relevant literature pertaining to the symptomatic differences between bipolar disorder and unipolar disorder as well as their measurement using existing assessment scales was identified by computerized searches and reviews of scientific journals known to the authors.
Results: Bipolar depression is distinct from unipolar depression in terms of phenomenology and clinical characteristics. These distinguishing features can be used to identify bipolarity in patients that present with recurrent depressive episodes. This is important because current self-report and observer-rated scales are optimized for unipolar depression, and hence limited in their ability to accurately assess bipolar depression.
Conclusion: The development of a specific bipolar depression rating scale will improve the assessment of bipolar depression in both research and clinical settings and assist the development of better treatments and interventions.
History
Journal
Acta Psychiatrica ScandinaviaVolume
110Issue
Supplement 422Pagination
39 - 45Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.Location
Oxford, EnglandPublisher DOI
ISSN
0001-690XeISSN
1600-0447Language
engPublication classification
C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2004, Blackwell MunksgaardUsage metrics
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