[Social cognition in patients with mood disorders. Part II: bipolar disorder : a selective review of the literature].

OBJECTIVE

Overview on the current knowledge regarding social cognition in patients with bipolar disorder.

METHODS

Selective literature research on deficits in social cognition intrinsic to bipolar disorder, their occurrence and effects.

RESULTS

Deficits in social cognition are considered to be core features of bipolar disorder. They are apparent during acute episodes of the disorder, endure when patients are in remission and have a significant negative impact on the patients' psychosocial outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

It is important to consider deficits in social cognition as an integral part of a treatment approach to achieve mental stabilization in patients with bipolar disorder.