First episode of bipolar depression and suicide attempt after bariatric surgery in a 45-year-old woman

Abstract

Introduction

Weight loss positively influences mental health but findings are mixed in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. The permanent changes in body image, diet-related stress, and unmet expectations could increase mental health problems such as major depression and self-harm behaviors. Mixed symptoms during major depressive episode were often misdiagnosed as agitated depression, and should be regarded as a risk factor for suicide and rapid cycling course of illness.

Method

Single case report.

Results

A 45-year-old woman, initially diagnosed as a unipolar depressive episode after bariatric surgery, did not show improvement after SSRI treatment. She had no history of previous episode but her temperament was described as hyperthymic. Antidepressant worsened irritability, racing/crowded thoughts, heightened anxiety and aggressive impulses, mood instability, impaired concentration, insomnia and she had a suicide attempt (antidepressant overdose). After mood stabilizer and atypical antipsychotic, symptoms fully remitted and she is stable in the last year.

Conclusion

Self-harm emergencies after bariatric surgery are higher than before surgery. Intentional overdose is considered the most common self-harm mechanism. Psychiatric follow-up after bariatric surgery and early recognition of bipolar depression with mixed features as a distinct condition among the variety of depressive syndromes is essential to reduce the risk of self-harm behaviors and improve treatment outcomes. Premorbid temperamental features, especially hyperthymic and cyclothymic temperaments, are often responsible for such mixed depressive presentations.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.