Prodromal symptoms of Chinese patients with bipolar disorder

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the clinical phenomenology and characteristics of prodromal symptoms in Chinese patients with bipolar disorder (BPD) prior to their index mood episode. Methods: Semi-structured interviews [Bipolar Prodrome Symptom Scale-Retrospective (BPSS-R)] were administered to patients within 3 years of BPD (I and II) onset. Results: 120 stable inpatients and outpatients were included (65% males, mean age: 26.5±10.0 years). Feeling extremely energetic (61.8%), overly cheerful (49.1%), racing thoughts (48.2%), overly talkative (47.3%), and decreased need for sleep (43.6%) most frequently preceded the first (hypo)manic episode, whereas depressed mood (78.5%), tiredness..