Toward a Definition of Affective Instability

Abstract

Affective instability is a psychophysiological symptom observed in some psychopathologies. It is a complex construct that encompasses (1) primary emotions, or affects, and secondary emotions, with each category having its own characteristics, amplitude, and duration, (2) rapid shifting from neutral or valenced affect to intense affect, and (3) dysfunctional modulation of emotions. Affective instability is often confused with mood lability, as in bipolar disorders, as well as with other terms. To clarify the concept, we searched databases for the term affective instability and read related articles on the topic. In this article we situate the term within the current affective nomenclature and human emotional experience, explore its psychophysiological features, and place it within the context of psychopathology. We explain why the term can potentially be confused with mood pathology and then define affective instability as an inherited temperamental trait modulated by developmental experience.

Differences and overlap in self-reported symptoms of bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder

“…Mood instability and impulsivity are core features of BPD, but both can also be observed in patients with BD [3,5,9,22,27]. Some experts have postulated cyclothymic affective temperament to underlie disorders of emotional regulation in both BPD and BD [25,28].…”

Prevalence and predictors of affective lability after paediatric traumatic brain injury

“…irritability and tantrums) rather than positive affects [11]. In a recent review, Renaud and Zacchia [46] indicate that affective lability is a general term that refers to the rapid shifting of emotions, and that the ‘dimensions concerning valence, intensity, duration, and speed of shifting should be considered relevant to the characterization and definition’. A granular analysis of the types of affective shifts that occur in different childhood psychiatric disorders is therefore needed.…”

Episodic density, subsyndromic symptoms, and mood instability in late‐life bipolar disorders: A 5‐year follow‐up study

“…13,19,20 It is worth noting that MI is frequently mistaken with "Affective Instability" which is a clinical concept that refers to a shorter, labile, and frequent mood changes normally associated with psychosocial events. 14 To the best of our knowledge, no longitudinal studies have been carried out exploring SD and MI in OABD, nor the differences in these clinical course measures as compared with young adults with BD.…”