This thesis had four main objectives:Predictors of Bipolar disorder (BD): Chapters 2 and 3 explored factors contributing to Bipolar Disorder's development and progression, considering both internal... Show moreThis thesis had four main objectives:Predictors of Bipolar disorder (BD): Chapters 2 and 3 explored factors contributing to Bipolar Disorder's development and progression, considering both internal and external influences.External Stressors: Chapter 4 investigated how external stressors, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, impacted the stability of BD symptoms, highlighting the role of environmental factors.Symptom Interactions: Chapter 5 analyzed the complex interplay of mania and depressive symptoms in BD over time, enhancing our understanding of their evolution.Neurocognition and Brain Functioning: Chapter 6 reviewed long-term cognitive (dys)function and brain activity in BD patients, offering insights into the disorder's neural mechanisms.Overall, the thesis aimed to expand knowledge of BD, encompassing its predictors, the influence of external stressors, symptom dynamics, and neurocognitive aspects. This research contributes to better diagnosis and treatment strategies for individuals affected by BD. Show less
BackgroundManic and depressive mood states in bipolar disorder (BD) may emerge from the non-linear relations between constantly changing mood symptoms exhibited as a complex dynamic system. Dynamic... Show moreBackgroundManic and depressive mood states in bipolar disorder (BD) may emerge from the non-linear relations between constantly changing mood symptoms exhibited as a complex dynamic system. Dynamic Time Warp (DTW) is an algorithm that may capture symptom interactions from panel data with sparse observations over time.MethodsThe Young Mania Rating Scale and Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology were repeatedly assessed in 141 individuals with BD, with on average 5.5 assessments per subject every 3–6 months. Dynamic Time Warp calculated the distance between each of the 27 × 27 pairs of standardized symptom scores. The changing profile of standardized symptom scores of BD participants was analyzed in individual subjects, yielding symptom dimensions in aggregated group-level analyses. Using an asymmetric time-window, symptom changes that preceded other symptom changes (i.e., Granger causality) yielded a directed network.ResultsThe mean age of the BD participants was 40.1 (SD 13.5) years old, and 60% were female participants. Idiographic symptom networks were highly variable between subjects. Yet, nomothetic analyses showed five symptom dimensions: core (hypo)mania (6 items), dysphoric mania (5 items), lethargy (7 items), somatic/suicidality (6 items), and sleep (3 items). Symptoms of the “Lethargy” dimension showed the highest out-strength, and its changes preceded those of “somatic/suicidality,” while changes in “core (hypo)mania” preceded those of “dysphoric mania.”ConclusionDynamic Time Warp may help to capture meaningful BD symptom interactions from panel data with sparse observations. It may increase insight into the temporal dynamics of symptoms, as those with high out-strength (rather than high in-strength) could be promising targets for intervention. Show less
Mesbah, R.; Koenders, M.A.; van der Wee, N.J.A.; Giltay, E.J.; van Hemert, A.M.; de Leeuw, M. 2023
Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic interfered in the daily lives of people and is assumed to adversely affect mental health. However, the effects on mood (in)stability of... Show moreBackground The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic interfered in the daily lives of people and is assumed to adversely affect mental health. However, the effects on mood (in)stability of bipolar disorder (BD) patients and the comparison to pre-COVID-19 symptom severity levels are unknown. Method Between April and September, 2020, symptoms and well-being were assessed in the Bipolar Netherlands Cohort (BINCO) study of recently diagnosed patients with BD I and II. The questionnaire contained questions regarding manic and depressive symptoms (YMRS and ASRM, QIDS), worry (PSWQ), stress (PSS), loneliness, sleep, fear for COVID-19, positive coping, and substance use. As manic, depressive and stress symptoms levels were assessed pre-COVID-19, their trajectories during the lockdown restrictions were estimated using mixed models. Results Of the 70 invited BD patients, 36 (51%) responded at least once (mean age of 36.7 years, 54% female, and 31% BD type 1) to the COVID-19 assessments. There was a significant increase (X-2 = 17.06; p = .004) in (hypo)manic symptoms from baseline during the first COVID-19 wave, with a decrease thereafter. Fear of COVID-19 (X-2 = 18.01; p = .003) and positive coping (X-2 = 12.44; p = .03) were the highest at the start of the pandemic and decreased thereafter. Other scales including depression and stress symptoms did not vary significantly over time. Conclusion We found a meaningful increase in manic symptomatology from pre-COVID-19 into the initial phases of the pandemic in BD patients. These symptoms decreased along with fear of COVID-19 and positive coping during the following months when lockdown measures were eased. Show less
Mesbah, R.; Bles, N. de; Rius Ottenheim, N.; Does, A.J.W. van der; Penninx, B.W.J.H.; Hemert, A.M. van; ... ; Koenders, M. 2021
Introduction Feelings of anger and irritability are prominent symptoms of bipolar disorder (BD) that may occur during hypomanic, depressive and, especially, during mixed mood states. We aimed to... Show moreIntroduction Feelings of anger and irritability are prominent symptoms of bipolar disorder (BD) that may occur during hypomanic, depressive and, especially, during mixed mood states. We aimed to determine whether such constructs are associated with the conversion to BD in subjects with a history of unipolar depression.Methods Data were derived from the depressed participants of Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety with 9 years of follow-up. Hypomania was ascertained using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview at 2, 4, 6, and 9 years follow-up. Cross-sectionally, we studied the association between prevalent hypomania and anger related constructs with the "Spielberger Trait Anger subscale," the "Anger Attacks" questionnaire, the cluster B personality traits part of the "Personality Disorder Questionnaire," and "aggression reactivity." Prospectively, we studied whether aggression reactivity predicted incident hypomania using Cox regression analyses.Results Cross-sectionally, the bipolar conversion group (n = 77) had significantly higher scores of trait anger and aggression reactivity, as well as a higher prevalence on "anger attacks," "antisocial traits," and "borderline traits" compared to current (n = 349) as well as remitted (n = 1159) depressive patients. In prospective analyses in 1744 participants, aggression reactivity predicted incident hypomania (n = 28), with a multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio of 1.4 (95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.93; p = .037).Conclusion Anger is a risk factor for conversion from unipolar depression to BD. In addition, patients who converted to BD showed on average anger, agitation and irritability than people with a history of unipolar depression who had not converted. Show less
Mesbah, R.; de Belas, N.J.; Rius-Ottenheim, N.; Van der Does, A.J.W.; de Leeuw, M.; Penninx, B.W.J.H.; ... ; Koenders, M.A. 2021
Background: Bipolar disorder (BD) is characterized by the alternating occurrence of (hypo)manic and depressive episodes. The aim of the current study was to determine whether personality traits... Show moreBackground: Bipolar disorder (BD) is characterized by the alternating occurrence of (hypo)manic and depressive episodes. The aim of the current study was to determine whether personality traits independently predicted the subsequent development of (hypo)manic episodes within a group of patients who were initially diagnosed with depressive and anxiety disorders.Methods: The Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety is a cohort study with measurements taken at baseline and at 2-, 4-, 6-, and 9-year follow-up. Development of a (hypo)manic episode during follow-up was assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and (hypo)manic symptoms were evaluated with the Mood Disorder Questionnaire. The Big Five personality traits were the independent variables in multivariable Cox regression analyses.Results: There were 31 incident cases of (hypo)manic episodes (n = 1888, mean age 42.5 years, 68.3% women), and 233 incident cases of (hypo)manic symptoms (n = 1319, mean age 43.1, 71.9% women). In multivariable analyses, low agreeableness was independently associated with an increased risk of developing a (hypo) manic episode, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.54 (p = 0.002, 95% CI [0.37, 0.78]). This finding was consistent with the development of (hypo)manic symptoms (HR 0.77, p = 0.001, 95% CI [0.66, 0.89]).Limitations: The 2-year lag-time analysis reduced the number of participants at risk of a (hypo)manic episode.Conclusions: We conclude that low agreeableness is a personality-related risk factor for incident (hypo)mania among subjects initially suffering from depressive and anxiety disorders. Increased attention to personality deviances could help to recognize BD at an early stage. Show less
BackgroundBipolar disorder (BD) is characterized by the alternating occurrence of (hypo)manic and depressive episodes. The aim of the current study was to determine whether personality traits... Show moreBackgroundBipolar disorder (BD) is characterized by the alternating occurrence of (hypo)manic and depressive episodes. The aim of the current study was to determine whether personality traits independently predicted the subsequent development of (hypo)manic episodes within a group of patients who were initially diagnosed with depressive and anxiety disorders.MethodsThe Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety is a cohort study with measurements taken at baseline and at 2-, 4-, 6-, and 9-year follow-up. Development of a (hypo)manic episode during follow-up was assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and (hypo)manic symptoms were evaluated with the Mood Disorder Questionnaire. The Big Five personality traits were the independent variables in multivariable Cox regression analyses.ResultsThere were 31 incident cases of (hypo)manic episodes (n = 1888, mean age 42.5 years, 68.3% women), and 233 incident cases of (hypo)manic symptoms (n = 1319, mean age 43.1, 71.9% women). In multivariable analyses, low agreeableness was independently associated with an increased risk of developing a (hypo)manic episode, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.54 (p = 0.002, 95% CI [0.37, 0.78]). This finding was consistent with the development of (hypo)manic symptoms (HR 0.77, p = 0.001, 95% CI [0.66, 0.89]).LimitationsThe 2-year lag-time analysis reduced the number of participants at risk of a (hypo)manic episode.ConclusionsWe conclude that low agreeableness is a personality-related risk factor for incident (hypo)mania among subjects initially suffering from depressive and anxiety disorders. Increased attention to personality deviances could help to recognize BD at an early stage. Show less
Stoffels, M.; Nijs, M.; Spinhoven, P.; Mesbah, R.; Hagenaars, M.A. 2017
