Stressful life events in older bipolar patients

Abstract

Objective: Theories about the impact of stressful life events (SLE) in bipolar disorder have focused on their role early in the disease. Few studies have examined SLE in older bipolar patients. We wanted to assess the impact of SLE in late life bipolar disorder

Methods: We evaluated negative SLE experienced by older bipolar subjects compared with younger bipolar subjects and older controls for number, type, and their association with phase of illness, age of onset, and previous episodes.

Results: Both younger and older bipolar subjects have more SLE than similarly aged controls. There was no significant difference in the number of stressors that younger and older bipolar subjects experienced, based on mood state, previous episodes, or age-of-onset. Both older and younger depressed bipolar subjects reported more SLE in the previous 12 months compared with those in a manic state.

Conclusions: Negative SLE are much more prevalent in bipolar patients compared with age-matched controls, and continue to be frequent in later life.