High achievers more likely to be bipolar

MacCabe J, Lambe M, Sham P, Hultman C. Excellent school performance at age 16 and risk of adult bipolar disorder national cohort study. The British Journal of Psychiatry (2010) 196: 109-115.

This study revealed two interesting findings. In a joint study between investigators from Stockholm’s famous Karolinska Institute and London’s King’s College, the final exam results of 15-16 year-old pupils attending High Schools in Sweden from 1988 to 1977 were compared with hospital records of bipolar disorder admissions between the ages of 17 and 31.

The students with A-grade results had an almost four times greater chance for such admissions than average students. Variables such as income and education levels of parents were controlled. Males predominated.

Also, students with low exam grades had a greater risk for developing bipolar disorder than average pupils.

Once again and consistent with facts listed before in this blog, these scientists found the highest rate of bipolar disorder among those who excelled in the humanities such as literature or music, classically subjects most frequently associated with madness.

“….the scientists suggest there are two distinct groups of people with bipolar disorder: the high achievers who are aided by their manic stages, and low achievers who have poor motor skills, which may be caused by ‘subtle neurodevelopmental abnormalities’”. Submitted by Gary Jedynak