A goal-striving life event and the onset of hypomanic and depressive episodes and symptoms: Perspective from the Behavioral Approach System (BAS) dysregulation theory.

Abstract

On the basis of the behavioral approach system (BAS) dysregulation theory of bipolar disorder, this study examined the relation between occurrence of a BAS activation-relevant life event-goal striving-and onset of hypomanic and depressive episodes and symptoms. In particular, the authors examined the relation between preparing for and completing final exams (a goal-striving event) and onset of bipolar spectrum episodes and symptoms in college students with bipolar II disorder or cyclothymia (i.e., "soft" bipolar spectrum conditions). One hundred fifty-nine individuals with either a bipolar spectrum disorder (n ϭ 68) or no major affective psychopathology (controls; n ϭ 91) were further classified on the basis of whether they were college students (i.e., completed final exams). Consistent with the BAS dysregulation theory, preparing for and completing final exams was associated with an increase in hypomanic but not depressive episodes and symptoms in individuals with a soft bipolar spectrum diagnosis. Furthermore, self-reported BAS sensitivity moderated the presence of certain hypomanic symptoms during final exams.

Life events as predictors of mania and depression in bipolar I disorder.

“…These findings parallel those of the previous studies of goal-attainment life events in bipolar I disorder (Johnson et al, 2000) and among students with hypomanic symptoms (Nusslock et al, 2007).…”

Atypical right hemispheric functioning in the euthymic state of bipolar affective disorder

“…This system is assumed to regulate appetitive motivation and goal-directed behavior in response to signals of reward (Gray, 2001), predicting left prefrontal functional hemispheric asymmetry during mania. Supporting the association between enhanced approach and hypomanic BD, an increased behavioral approach system sensitivity and experiences of goal-striving and attainment events predicted future manic symptoms in BD patients (Johnson et al, 2000;Meyer et al, 2001;Nusslock et al, 2007;Salavert et al, 2007). However, although pathological positive and negative emotional states in BD have been linked to atypical functional hemispheric asymmetry, the findings of the current study suggests that atypical functional hemispheric asymmetries, especially involving right hemisphere functioning, can still be found in BD regardless of mood episodes.…”

Extreme Appraisals of Internal States in Bipolar I Disorder: A Multiple Control Group Study

“…There is evidence that individual differences on a putative dysregulated biobehavioral system responsible for goal attainment known as the Behavioral Activation System (Gray 1972;Depue et al 1987) predicts increases in manic symptoms (Meyer et al 2001;Nusslock et al 2007;Salavert et al 2007). Yet, more recently, it is emerging that a more specific personality style relating to goal attainment may be involved.…”