Psychopathology in relatives

How is psychopathology relevant to relatives of people with bipolar disorder?

Due to the significant genetic loading of bipolar disorder, first-degree relatives of people with bipolar disorder may also show signs of psychopathology.

What is the evidence for psychopathology in families of people with bipolar disorder?

Moderate to high quality evidence finds a large increased risk of bipolar disorder, a medium-sized increased risk of ADHD, and a small increased risk of a substance use disorder in relatives. Moderate quality evidence finds medium-sized increased risk of other mood or anxiety disorders in relatives, particularly generalized anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders, and increased risk of disruptive behavioural disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct disorder in offspring.

October 2021

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Last updated at: 3:59 pm, 31st March 2022
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