Comparison of Behavioral Addictions Between Euthymic Bipolar Disorder Patients and Healthy Volunteers

Objective: It is known that individuals with bipolar disorder have high rates of comorbidities with addictions such as alcohol and substance use disorders. This study aimed to compare behavioral addictions (gambling, shopping, internet, exercise) between euthymic bipolar disorder patients and healthy volunteers.

Methods: Sixty bipolar disorder patients in the euthymic state according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria and 60 healthy volunteers were included in the study. A sociodemographic data form, the South Oaks Gambling Screen, the Compulsive Online Shopping Scale, the Exercise Dependence Scale, and the Internet Addiction Scale were administered to all participants.

Results: No significant differences were found between the bipolar disorder group and healthy volunteers in the mean scores of South Oaks Gambling Screen, Internet Addiction Scale, and Exercise Dependence Scale (P = .816, P = .478, P = .677, respectively). On the other hand, the mean scores of Compulsive Online Shopping Scale in the bipolar disorder group were significantly lower than in the control group (P = .044).

Conclusion: It can be suggested that the prevalence of behavioral addiction in bipolar disorder patients in remission is similar to that of healthy controls.

Cite this article as: Bodur B, Doğanavşargil Baysal GÖ, Erdoğan A. Comparison of behavioral addictions between euthymic bipolar disorder patients and healthy volunteers. Neuropsychiatr Invest. 2023;61(1):1-5.