[Emotional reactivity: a tool for diagnosis?]

Abstract

Emotional reactivity can be defined regarding the threshold needed to induce emotion and the amplitude of emotional response. In bipolar disorder, emotional dysregulations can be observed, sometimes related to mood. Description of emotional reactivity can contribute to the characterization of the different phases of bipolar disorder. During manic or mixed episodes, emotional reactivity is increased. Bipolar depression is a heterogeneous entity and emotional reactivity can help to characterize it and to define the most adequate therapeutic. Exploration of emotional reactivity can be helpful to understand pathophysiology of the different Thymic states observed in Bipolar disorder.