Hypomania with and without Dysphoria: Comparison of comorbidity and clinical characteristics of respondents from a national community sample

Objective: To compare rates of comorbidity, treatment utilization, the course of illness, and past year social functioning of Hypomania with and without Dysphoria Hypomania (mixed state). Method: The National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) was a nationally representative face-to-face survey of 43,093 respondents, aged 18 years and older, conducted in 2001 through 2002. The target population of the survey is the civilian, noninstitutionalized population residing in the United States. Results: Dysphoric Hypomania was associated with an increased lifetime risk for major depression, dysthymic disorder, anxiety disorders and personality disorders compared to Non-Dysphoric Hypomania. The former group had an earlier onset age of major depression, more episodes major depression and hypomania, and had a higher rate of treatment contact than the later group. Past year personal income and the frequency of full-time employment were lower in the Dysphoric Hypomania compared to Non-Dysphoric Hypomania. Conclusions: Dysphoric Hypomania is a more severe and persistent mood disorder compared to Non-Dysphoric Hypomania. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.