Are somatisation symptoms important evidence for an early diagnosis of bipolar spectrum mood disorders?

Four-hundred and twenty three consecutive patients who have been seen in a private psychiatric clinic were assessed for bipolar disorder. A large proportion of these patients were found to demonstrate a number of somatic syndromes. The main somatic syndromes found on the patients' "first visit" have been: colitis (45% of the patients), gastritis (25%), migraine (8%) others (above all with dermatological symptoms: 2%). All the patients presented muscular tension at their "first visit". Somatic syndromes constitute an important pointer for the diagnosis of bipolar spectrum disorders.