Distinct profiles of behavioral inhibition and activation system sensitivity in unipolar vs. bipolar mood disorders

•BAS sensitivity was elevated in bipolar disorders compared to depressive disorders.•Results replicated in analyses restricted to patients presenting with depression.•Depressive severity was associated with BIS sensitivity and Reward Responsiveness.•Manic severity was associated with Fun Seeking.

Psychiatric outpatients with mood disorders (n=275) and community controls (n=733) completed a measure of Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) and Behavioral Activation System (BAS) sensitivity; psychiatric outpatients also completed measures of mood symptom severity. All patients scored higher on BIS compared to controls; patients with bipolar disorders scored higher on BAS scales compared to patients with depressive disorders. BIS and BAS demonstrated unique patterns of association with mood symptoms. Results support the clinical utility of the BIS/BAS.