It is well known that high doses of corticosteroids can induce psychiatric disorders, especially the maniacal states. However there are only a few studies that investigate the effects of low and medium doses of such drugs used for a long period of time on the patient's mental health. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and severity of affective disorders among the patients us...

There is currently lively debate as regards the diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Generally, there is consensus that bipolar I disorder, characterised by mania, is distinct as compared to unipolar major depression. This is demonstrated to some extent across the phenomenology, population characteristics, genetics and neurobiology of the two phenotypes. However, the diagnosis of bipolar II disorder ...

This paper looks at some recent developments in the official diagnostic definitions (DSM-5) and in the research domain. The spectrum concept of mood disorders consists of the components of depression and mania, alone or in combination, on a continuum. Its international operational classification changes regularly, being based on symptoms, their duration and consequences. Causation is as yet unk...