Personal Dimensions in First Psychotic Episode Patients with Catatonia

The study reports findings from an observational cross-sectional study involving patients experiencing their first psychotic episode with acute catatonia (n=82), compared to non-catatonic patients (n=74) and a group of healthy volunteers (n=47). Diagnostic procedures spanned two days: the first involved clinical interviews to assess psychosis structure and gather objective data (from relatives and medical records), while the second included psychometric evaluations using PANSS and BFCRS scales. Between these days, participants completed the Big Five Personality Factor Questionnaire (5PFQ) and Beck's Personality Beliefs Questionnaire (PBQ). Comparative analysis (H-test) across the three groups highlighted differences in the 5PFQ factor "expressiveness vs. practicality," predominantly influenced by the "sensitivity vs. insensitivity" parameter. Patients exhibiting catatonic symptoms demonstrated significantly lower scores compared to controls in this regard.