Exploring aspects of DSM-IV interpersonal sensitivity in bipolar II

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Personality Disorders

Background:

• Interpersonal rejection sensitivity (IRS) is a personality trait defined in the DSM-IV.
• IRS is associated with atypical features in depressive disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of IRS in patients with bipolar II and unipolar depression.
• To assess the utility of IRS as a diagnostic indicator for bipolar II disorder.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 557 outpatients diagnosed with unipolar or bipolar II depression were interviewed.
• The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV and the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale were utilized.
• DSM-IV criteria for atypical features, including IRS, were applied.

Main Results:

• IRS was diagnosed in 37.8% of bipolar II patients compared to 20.5% of unipolar patients.
• The odds of having IRS were 2.3 times higher in bipolar II patients (P=0.0000).
• The sensitivity and specificity of IRS for diagnosing bipolar II disorder were 37.8% and 79.4%, respectively.

Conclusions:

• The IRS personality trait appears to be significantly more common in bipolar II depression than in unipolar depression.
• IRS may serve as a potential diagnostic marker for differentiating bipolar II disorder from unipolar depression.
• Limitations include non-blind, cross-sectional assessment and a single interviewer, impacting the reliability of bipolar II diagnosis.