OBJECTIVE: The authors examined individual differences in stress
reactivity as well as whether features of the illness itself or
psychological characteristics differentiate between patients with bipolar
disorder who are highly stress reactive and those who are not. METHOD: They
assessed stressors and bipolar episodes in 58 patients with bipolar
disorder followed for at least 1 year. RESULTS: Not only did stress level
predict relapse, so did personality variables such as introversion and
obsessionality and their interaction with stress. Number of previous
episodes of bipolar illness, however, did not affect stress response.
CONCLUSIONS: These results are not consistent with the view that episodes
of bipolar disorder become increasingly independent of stressors after
initial episodes. However, psychological traits may affect reactivity to
stressors.Abstract Teaser