The Affective Spectrum   A "spectrum" is a grouping of possible other medical problems which may accompany which may accompany a specific, diagnosed illness. The Affective Spectrum      Some people who have bipolar disorder (manic depression) or unipolar disorder (depression only) have co-existing conditions such as migraines, attention deficit disorder, fibromyalgia, eating disorder, ect. What is going on? Background      In medical terms, a "spectrum" is a grouping of possible other medical problems which may accompany a specific, diagnosed illness. Many illnesses have spectrums associated with them. In order to qualify as part of a spectrum for an illness, those other conditions must present them self at a statistically higher rate than would normal be be expected.        J. Hudson and H. Pope~~two researchers at McLean Hospital, Massachusetts, a prominent psychiatric hospital~~decided to find out which other medical problems appeared in people diagnosed with bipolar, unipolar, and schizoaffective disorders. Those would make up the "spectrum" for affective disorders.   The Current Listing      The Following have been identified (so far) as part of the medical spectrum which may accompany affective disorders.       *attention deficite disorder (ADD  and ADHD)                   *body dysmorphic disorder       *cataplexy       *eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia, and binging)       *fibromyalgia (including chronic fatigue)       *impulse~control disorders       *irritable bowel syndrome       *kleptomania       *migraine/severe headache       *narcolepsy       *obsessive~compulsive disorder       *panic disorder      *Tourette's disorder       The following may also be a part of the spectrum accompanying affective disorders.      *anxiety disorder      *autism      *chronic pain      *intermittent explosive disorder      *pathological gambling      *pyromania      *personality disorder      *post traumatic stress disorder      *substance abuse and addiction (includes alcoholism)      *trichotillomania       Also, there are now studies linking heart disease and depression.   How This All Works (An Example)       Of these, the migraine and bipolar/unipolar connection has been observed the longest. So let's example, to explain the theory: Example:       *Many people have migraines and severe headaches.      *Very few of these people are diagnosed with bipolar disorder.      *Just because you have migraines, doesn't mean you have mental illness.      *For some (still Unknown) reason, people with bipolar disorder get migraines and headaches more often that the general population.      *Sometimes, the medication which the person takes for bipolar disorder will also help his her migraines.       *Perhaps, say the researchers, there is some physiological reason for this occurrence.       *"Migraine" is thus included as part of the spectrum for affective disorders.