The degree of biologic concordance between bipolar affective disorder
and cyclothymia was assessed within a 3-hour protocol of cortisol
functioning. Cyclothymic subjects, selected by the General Behavior
Inventory, showed cortisol hypersecretion approaching that of subjects with
major affective disorders; they also showed poor modulation of cortisol
levels over time, the degree of which was related to increased current
level of depression and to a chronic, intermittent depressive course. These
results not only support the validity of the General Behavior Inventory but
also suggest that cyclothymic subjects with a chronic depressive course may
experience persistent biologic disturbance similar to that found during
episodes of major depression.
Abstract Teaser