ABSTRACT
As cyclothymic temperaments predispose to bipolar disorder, they conclude that high anger is a distinguishing feature of bipolar spectrum disorders, which is consistent with other research showing that depression with anger and hostility is characteristic of bipolar depression. Bipolar disorder, or manic–depression, affects about 1% of adults during their lifetime. Individuals who have a family member with a mood disorder are at greater risk of developing similar behavioural styles. Allan Schore suggested that people with bipolar disorder are notoriously irritable after mild frustration, are readily provoked by seemingly harmless remarks, and react with rage to minor provocations. The concept of a mood spectrum provides a better model for the variety of bipolar presentations, which often may go undiagnosed in primary care. P. Pao conceptualized the depressive phase of bipolar disorder as the passive re-experiencing of a "narcissistic wound", and pointed out the importance of non-verbal behaviour in the understanding of mania.
