The Affective Spectrum

That'll Be The Day-By Buddy Holly

THE THEORY: J. Hudson and H. Pope of McLean Hospital, Massachussetts, were the first to propose the concept of the affecrive spectrum. They noticed that people with affective disorders (bipolar, unipolar, and schizoaffective disorders) also tended to have a variety of other ailements and disorders. Research has shown that these illnesses are related to each other in some (often undefined) way. In fact, sometimes medications for one illness will help to ease the symptoms of others on the list.

THE CURRENT LISTING

The following have been idenified (so far) as part of the affective spectrum

* affective disorders (unipolar/bipolar/schizoaffective)
*attention deficet disorder (ADD &ADHD)
*body dysmorphic disorder
*castaplexy
*eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia, binging)
*fibromyalgia (includes chronic fatigue)
*impulse-control disorders
*irritable bowel syndrome
*kleptomania
*migranes/severe headaches
*narcolepsy
*obsessive-compulsive disorder
*panic disorder
*Tourette's disorder

IN ADDITION, THE FOLLOWING SEEM TO HAVE CONNECTIONS TO THE MECHANISMS OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS:

*anxiety disorders
*autism
*chronic pain
*intermittent explosive disorder
*pathological gambling
*pyromania
*personality disorders
*post traumatic stress disorder
*substance abuse and addiction (includes alcoholism)
*trichotillomania

Also, there are new studies linking heart disease and depression

HOW THIS ALL WORKS

Of these, the migrane connection to bipolar/unipolar disorder has been established the longest. So, let's use migrane and severe headaches as an example.Many people have migraines and severe headaches, but not all of these people also have one of the affective disorders. In fact, the percentage is probably fairly small. However, among people with affective disorders, the percentage of individuals esperiencing migranes and headaches is higher than the general population, And sometimes, the medicine the person takes for her affective disorder (lithium,depakote, verapamil, antidepressants) will also eliminate the headache problem.

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