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Bipolar disorder: I. Temperament and character
Christer Engström1, Sven Brändström, Sören Sigvardsson
1Department of Neuroscience and Locomotion, University of Linköping, Sweden.
Journal of Affective Disorders
|October 7, 2004
Summary
Bipolar disorder patients exhibit distinct personality traits, including higher harm avoidance and lower self-directedness, even when euthymic. These cognitive differences may indicate vulnerability factors for mood disorders.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The relationship between personality traits and bipolar affective disorders remains unclear.
- Understanding these connections is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate personality differences in individuals with bipolar disorder compared to a healthy control group.
- To explore potential cognitive deficits associated with bipolar disorder, even during euthymic states.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) to assess personality.
- Administered TCI to 100 euthymic bipolar patients and 100 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Bipolar patients showed significantly higher harm avoidance (HA) and lower reward dependence (RD), self-directedness (SD), and cooperativeness (CO).
- Compared to controls, bipolar patients displayed increased fatigability, reduced sentimentality, greater independence, less purposefulness, resourcefulness, empathy, helpfulness, and impulse control.
- Bipolar II patients exhibited more impulsivity, fatigability, and less resourcefulness and impulse control than Bipolar I patients.
Conclusions:
- Euthymic bipolar patients demonstrate persistent cognitive deficits, aligning with theories of cognitive vulnerability in mood disorders.
- These findings are specific to euthymic bipolar patients and may not generalize to all affective disorders.