Bipolar teens see hostility in neutral faces

Teens diagnosed with the bipolar disorder are more likely to
interpret neutral facial expressions as hostile and react with fear, a
new study shows.

Brain scans also showed
that the brain centre that processes fear – the amygdala – shows more
activity in these youngsters than in those free of the disorder. The
researchers say the findings provide insight into how bipolar
individuals process emotions differently to their peers.

... says adolescents with bipolar disorder may have a suicidal reaction to
something as simple as a friend not calling them back on the phone. She
adds that patients with the disorder also show inappropriate reactions
during their manic phases: “A teacher will be yelling at them and they
might think this is the funniest thing.”

...

All participants reacted similarly to images of happy and fearful faces. But the patients with bipolar disorder were more likely to interpret
neutral facial expressions as hostile and feel more fearful of these
faces. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being most fearful, those with the
psychiatric condition gave an average rating of 2 while others gave an
average rating of 1.4.



New Scientist