--- title: "Consequences of goal pursuit in bipolar disorder. | Sutter Health" description: "Bipolar disorder seems related to a greater emphasis on reaching goals and also a problematic reactivity to reaching those highly desired goals." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/consequences-of-goal-pursuit-in-bipolar-disorder-1055312605" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Research](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research) / 3. [Research publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications) / 4. Consequences of goal pursuit in bipolar disorder. # The double-edged sword of goal engagement: consequences of goal pursuit in bipolar disorder. Johnson SL, Fulford D, & Carver CS. _Clin Psychol Psychother. 19(4):352-62. doi: 10.1002/cpp.1801. Epub 2012 May 21. Review._ 2012-07-01 ## Abstract A series of studies suggest that bipolar disorder is related to high sensitivity to incentives and that incentive sensitivity (or sensitivity of the approach system) can predict the course of mania. Incentive sensitivity in bipolar disorder seems to be related to two processes: a tendency to invest in difficult-to-attain goals and an over-reactivity to cues of goal progress versus thwarting. Both of those processes appear relevant to symptom generation. Hence, bipolar disorder seems related to a greater emphasis on reaching goals and also a problematic reactivity to reaching those highly desired goals. We suggest directions for treatment development focused on these issues in goal regulation. [PubMed abstract](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22610999) ## Research topics - [Mental Health](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Mental+Health%5C%22%22) ## Related publications [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) - Publication ### [Symptom dimensions and functional impairment in early psychosis: more to the story than just negative symptoms.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/symptoms-functional-impairment-in-early-psychosis-1055312610) Fulford D, Niendam TA, Floyd EG, Carter CS, Mathalon DH, Vinogradov S, Stuart BK, Loewy RL. Schizophr Res. 147(1):125-31. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2013.03.024. Epub 2013 Apr 12. 2013 Jun 01 - Publication ### [Emotion perception and quality of life in bipolar I disorder.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/emotion-perception-qol-in-bipolar-i-disorder-1055312597) Fulford D, Peckham AD, Johnson K, Johnson SL. J Affect Disord. 152-154:491-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2013.08.034. Epub 2013 Sep 7. 2014 Jan 01 - Publication ### [Ecological Momentary Assessment of social functioning in schizophrenia: impact of performance appraisals and affect on social interactions.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/assessment-of-social-functioning-in-schizophrenia-1055312626) Granholm E, Ben-Zeev D, Fulford D, Swendsen J. Schizophr Res. 145(1-3):120-4. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2013.01.005. Epub 2013 Feb 10. 2013 Apr 01 - Publication ### [John & Marcia Goldman Foundation Donates $100K to Improve Behavioral Health in Teens](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/teen-behavioral-health-care-1055312809) Palo Alto Medical Foundation Marketing & Communications, Jan. 15, 2015 Palo Alto Medical Foundation Newsroom Blog 2015 Jan 15 - Publication ### [Pushing and coasting in dynamic goal pursuit: coasting is attenuated in bipolar disorder.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/coasting-is-attentuated-in-bipolar-disorder-1055312618) Fulford D, Johnson SL, Llabre MM, Carver CS. Psychol Sci. 21(7):1021-7. doi: 10.1177/0956797610373372. Epub 2010 Jun 2. 2010 Jul 01 [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/consequences-of-goal-pursuit-in-bipolar-disorder-1055312605#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Research publications","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Consequences of goal pursuit in bipolar disorder."}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/consequences-of-goal-pursuit-in-bipolar-disorder-1055312605#medicalscholarlyarticle","name":"The double-edged sword of goal engagement: consequences of goal pursuit in bipolar disorder.","headline":"Consequences of goal pursuit in bipolar disorder.","abstract":"A series of studies suggest that bipolar disorder is related to high sensitivity to incentives and that incentive sensitivity (or sensitivity of the approach system) can predict the course of mania. 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