Functional impairment as a predictor of short‐term symptom course in bipolar I disorder

Most prior research has focused on functional impairment as a consequence, rather than a predictor, of mood symptoms in bipolar disorder (BD). Yet the majority of this research has been cross-sectional, thus limiting conclusions regarding directionality of effects. Indeed, just as functional impairment may represent an important outcome of BD, it may also serve as a risk factor for future affective symptoms or episodes. Thus, the primary aim of...