Graphic representation of the life course of illness in patients with affective disorder.

The authors illustrate methods for the graphic depiction of the course of unipolar and bipolar affective illness. The utility and advantages of such an approach include 1) accurate assessment of episode patterns, 2) elucidation of relationships to environmental events, endocrine and seasonal factors, and psychosocial stressors, 3) better delineation of treatment response, 4) a greater understanding of the longitudinal and characteristic patterns of illness, and 5) the associated better patient management with psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions.