Journal article
Characteristics of people with bipolar disorder I with and without auditory verbal hallucinations
International Journal of Bipolar Disorders, Vol.13(1), 4
02/14/2025
DOI: 10.1186/s40345-025-00369-8
PMCID: PMC11828762
PMID: 39953335
Abstract
Background
Approximately half of people with bipolar disorder type I (BD-I) report the presence of psychotic symptoms at least at some point during their illness. Previous data suggest that more than 20% of people with BD-I report the presence of auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs), or “voice-hearing” in particular. While work in other disorders with psychotic features (e.g., schizophrenia) indicates that the presence vs. absence of AVHs is associated with poorer clinical outcomes, little is known about their effects on clinical and socioeconomic features in BD-I.
Methods
We investigated whether people with BD-I (
N
= 119) with AVHs (
n
= 36) and without AVHs (
n
= 83) in their lifetime differ in terms of demographic features and clinical measures. Relations with AVHs and other positive symptoms were explored.
Results
People with BD-I and AVHs vs. without AVHs had higher manic and positive symptom scores (i.e., higher scores on the hallucinations, delusions, and bizarre behavior subscales). Further, a greater proportion of those with vs. without AVHs reported lower subjective socioeconomic status and tended to have higher rates of unemployment, thus, speaking to the longer-term consequences of AVH presence.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that people with BD-I with AVHs exhibit more severe psychotic features and manic symptoms compared to those without. This might be associated with more socioeconomic hardship. More in-depth characterization of people with BD-I with/without AVHs is needed to fully understand this subgroup’s unique challenges and needs.
Limitations
The modest sample size of the AVH group and a study population with low racial diversity/representation may limit generalizability.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Characteristics of people with bipolar disorder I with and without auditory verbal hallucinations
- Creators
- Aster Javier - University of OttawaNatalia Jaworska - University of OttawaJess Fiedorowicz - University of OttawaVincent Magnotta - University of IowaJenny G. Richards - University of IowaErcole John Barsotti - University of IowaJohn A. Wemmie - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- International Journal of Bipolar Disorders, Vol.13(1), 4
- DOI
- 10.1186/s40345-025-00369-8
- PMID
- 39953335
- PMCID
- PMC11828762
- NLM abbreviation
- Int J Bipolar Disord
- ISSN
- 2194-7511
- eISSN
- 2194-7511
- Publisher
- Springer Berlin Heidelberg
- Grant note
- R01MH111578; R01MH111578; R01MH111578; R01MH111578 / National Institute of Mental Health (http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100000025)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/14/2025
- Academic Unit
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Radiology; Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Psychiatry; Epidemiology; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Neurosurgery
- Record Identifier
- 9984791076302771
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