Psychiatric Comorbidities Occur Frequently and Can Complicate Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder

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Psychiatric Comorbidities Occur Frequently and
Can Complicate Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder

• 65 of bipolar patients have current axis I
  condition
• Nearly 25 have 3 or more
• Substance abuse (lifetime prevalence 61) and
  anxiety disorders (lifetime prevalence 42) are
  most common
• Comorbid conditions can mimic mood symptoms, mask
  them, or exacerbate them

McElroy SL, et al. Am J Psychiatry.
2001158420-426.