This Research Topic is a continuation of the series: Comorbidity in Bipolar Disorder, in which the earlier volumes can be viewed here
Volume I and
Volume II Bipolar Disorder (BD) is frequently comorbid with other psychiatric disorders and medical conditions. There is a high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities in BD, especially substance use disorders (SUD), anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). Moreover, comorbidity of general medical disorders, such as cardiovascular, endocrine, and metabolic illnesses, is the rule rather than the exception. To explain the high rate of comorbid conditions in BD, both genetic and complex environmental factors have been proposed. There are different patterns of presentation for lifetime comorbidities in BD, with some conditions occurring before the onset of BD and others developing in the late stages.
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is one of the most disabling disorders in psychiatry. Depression, obsessive compulsive-disorder, panic, and substance use disorders co-occur with schizophrenia at significant rates; interact with psychotic symptoms in clinically meaningful ways; and can be associated with adverse outcomes such as suicide, long-term disability, medication nonadherence, and frequent hospitalization.
The presence of comorbid conditions significantly affects the course of both BD and SCZ, usually resulting in a poorer outcome, and higher mortality, and has implications for the choice of the appropriate therapeutic treatment.
The Guest Editors wish to dedicate the present research topic to the loving memory of Dr. Gianna Sepede, MD, PhD, a gifted psychiatrist whose kind manners, and bright scientific and clinical skills inspired a number of us as colleagues, friends, and/or trainees before her premature departure.
The goal of this Research Topic is to improve our understanding of the links between BD, SCZ, and other psychiatric and medical conditions, clarifying:
• The etiopathology of comorbidities in BD and SCZ;
• The temporal presentation patterns of the different comorbid conditions;
• The impact of concurrent psychiatric and medical illnesses on the treatment of BD and SCZ;
• Somatic comorbidities due to or worsened by iatrogenic effects of psychiatric treatments.
We encourage original research and submissions and articles with a conceptual or methodological focus, addressing the following subtopics:
- Prevalence and rates of comorbid psychiatric and/or medical conditions in patients affected by BD and SCZ;
- The pathophysiological basis of the relationship between BD, SCZ and other psychiatric and medical disorders;
- Changes in the clinical presentation and long-term outcome of BD and SCZ due to comorbid conditions;
- Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia in the pandemic era;
- Specific treatment strategies for BD and SCZ patients with and without comorbidities.
- Interesting case reports and series of unusual or rare comorbidities in DB and SCZ.
- Neurobiology and psychopathology of SCZ and BD in comorbidity with other disorders.
