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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Thomas Meyer
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BackgroundBipolar disorders are often not recognized. Several instruments were developed but none primarily focused on hypomania. The Hypomania Checklist (HCL) is aimed at the identification of bipolarity in outpatients. Using a German and Swedish sample, we investigated if the factor structure in nonclinical samples is similar to the one reported for outpatient samples. Furthermore, we tested if people who probably had a lifetime history of hypomania report more depression or other signs of impairment and if current depression is associated with lifetime hypomania. MethodIn the German study, participants completed the HCL-32 as an online questionnaire that also included questions about lifetime and current depression (n = 695), whereas the Swedish data relied on the paper-and-pencil version of the HCL-32 completed by a random sample from a representative population sample (n = 408). ResultsThe factor structure of the HCL-32 was fairly similar in both samples and to the ones presented by Angst et al (J Affect Disord 2005;88:217-33). People reporting “highs” (≥4 days and experiencing negative consequences) not only endorsed more HCL-32 symptoms but also had higher rates of current and former depression and psychotherapy. Level of current depression was also associated with lifetime hypomanic symptoms. Discussion and limitationAn “active-elated” and “risk-taking/irritable” factor of hypomania can be distinguished with the HCL-32 in clinical and nonclinical samples. Based on our results, the HCL-32 might even be useful as screening tool in nonclinical samples and not only in depressed outpatients. However, our data do not allow estimating sensitivity and specificity of the HCL-32 because structured clinical interviews were not included.
Author(s): Meyer TD, Hammelstein P, Nilsson LG, Skeppar P, Adolfsson R, Angst J
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Comprehensive Psychiatry
Year: 2007
Volume: 48
Issue: 1
Pages: 79-87
ISSN (print): 0010-440X
ISSN (electronic): 1532-8384
Publisher: WB Saunders Co.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2006.07.001
DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2006.07.001
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