Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder
Published on: March 8, 2018
Development of the bipolar inventory of symptoms scale
C L Bowden1, V Singh, P Thompson
1Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA. bowdenc@uthscsa.edu
Objective:
Most rating scales for bipolar disorders (BDs) do not encompass the spectrum of symptomatology now established as characterizing the illness. We report the rationale, format, reliability and initial validity studies of the Bipolar Inventory of Symptoms Scale (BISS), a 44-item scale designed to encompass the spectrum of behavioral disturbances in BDs.
Method:
Structured video interviews of 20 patients representing four bipolar syndromal subtypes were rated by nine raters.
Results:
Generally, high inter-rater reliability and internal consistency were established for the depression and mania subscales and the BISS total score. The BISS discriminated across subtypes of bipolar patients with depressed, manic/hypomanic, mixed manic or recovered status.
Conclusion:
The BISS has adequate reliability, concurrent validity and is capable of discriminating between bipolar subtypes. It also provides a comprehensive scale to assess discrete behavioral components of BD.
Related Concept Videos
Self-Report Tests of Personality
Bipolar Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder
Genetic and Environmental Contributions
Borderline Personality...
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
Depressive Disorders: Etiology
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and...