Characteristics of People with Bipolar Disorder I with and Without Auditory Verbal Hallucinations

Overview

Journal Int J Bipolar Disord

Date 2025 Feb 14

PMID 39953335

Authors

Aster Javier

Natalia Jaworska

Jess Fiedorowicz

Vincent Magnotta

Jenny G Richards

Ercole John Barsotti

John A Wemmie

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Approximately half of people with bipolar disorder type I (BD-I) report the presence of psychotic symptoms at least at some point during their illness. Previous data suggest that more than 20% of people with BD-I report the presence of auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs), or "voice-hearing" in particular. While work in other disorders with psychotic features (e.g., schizophrenia) indicates that the presence vs. absence of AVHs is associated with poorer clinical outcomes, little is known about their effects on clinical and socioeconomic features in BD-I.

Methods: We investigated whether people with BD-I (N = 119) with AVHs (n = 36) and without AVHs (n = 83) in their lifetime differ in terms of demographic features and clinical measures. Relations with AVHs and other positive symptoms were explored.

Results: People with BD-I and AVHs vs. without AVHs had higher manic and positive symptom scores (i.e., higher scores on the hallucinations, delusions, and bizarre behavior subscales). Further, a greater proportion of those with vs. without AVHs reported lower subjective socioeconomic status and tended to have higher rates of unemployment, thus, speaking to the longer-term consequences of AVH presence.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that people with BD-I with AVHs exhibit more severe psychotic features and manic symptoms compared to those without. This might be associated with more socioeconomic hardship. More in-depth characterization of people with BD-I with/without AVHs is needed to fully understand this subgroup's unique challenges and needs.

Limitations: The modest sample size of the AVH group and a study population with low racial diversity/representation may limit generalizability.

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