Circadian rhythms, multilevel models of emotion and bipolar disorder - An initial step towards integration?

This paper sets out possible links between disruption of circadian rhythms in bipolar disorder and the affective symptom, which are experienced in thi s disorder. Evidence is drawn from Healy and Williams' [Psychiatr. Dev. 1 ( 1989) 49.] review of circadian function in manic depression, along with lat er reports, which indicate a role for disrupted circadian rhythms in both d epressed and manic phases of manic depression (bipolar disorder). This is i ntegrated within a version of the multilevel model of emotion proposed by P ower and Dalgleish [Cognition and emotion:from order to disorder, Hove: Psy chology Press (1997); Behav. Cognit. Psychother. 27 (1999) 129.]. The aim o f this process is to propose a possible psychological mechanism by which th e disruption of circadian rhythms might result in the observed clinical sym ptoms of bipolar disorder. The integration of these approaches leads to a n umber of specific testable hypotheses that are relevant to future research into the psychological treatment and understanding of bipolar disorder. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd.