Bipolar Disorder: Depression, Anxiety Common In Patients With Higher Stress Levels

New studies examine observations in older bipolar patients who show decreased activity in the hormone system that's responsible for the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol. According to a new dissertation by researchers at Umea University in Sweden, this could increase the levels of depression in patients, obesity, metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia--abnormally elevated cholesterol or fats in the blood.

Martin Maripuu, a doctoral student at the Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Psychiatry, studied the correlation between low cortisol levels and poor psychiatric and somatic health in patients with recurrent depression and in patients with bipolar disorder. (Poor physical health was described as having dyslipidemia, obesity or metabolic syndrome.)

"High cortisol levels have previously been shown to be associated with poor health in people with depressions or bipolar disorder. What's interesting about our results is that also low cortisol levels were associated with a considerable increase in negative health consequences," said Maripuu, in a news release. 

Findings showed that high cortisol levels were nearly twice as common in those with bipolar disorder than people with normal stress regulation. The results also showed that low quality of life was between four and six times more common in groups with low or high activity in the stress regulation system. Those with recurrent depression also found a correlation could also be found between low cortisol levels and short telomeres, which is particularly interesting because short telomeres are considered an indication of premature aging and a high accumulation of stress. 

Individuals with bipolar disorder often deal with recurring depression and stress. Stress, in particular, is a major risk factor for depression, as well as cardiovascular disorders and other health issues that can lower general life expectancy. In fact, researchers say that the expected life span of an individual with bipolar disorder is 10-15 years shorter than the general population for a decreased quality of life-with reasons ranging from high prevalence of suicide to cardiovascular mortality.

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