Dysregulation of the Behavioral Activation System (BAS) in Bipolar Spectrum Disorders

The Behavioral Approach System (BAS) dysregulation theory, proposed by Richard Depue and colleagues, is an integrated model for understanding the psychosocial and biological aspects of bipolar disorder. Yet, the expanded model of this theory provides even greater specificity in predictions, especially about the nature of BAS dysregulation, environmental factors, and psychological processes (e.g., appraisal processes) featured in a causal chain culminating in bipolar symptoms. The present study provides an overview of the expanded model¡ and elaborates on the revised factors in the model.