Stability and predictive value of self-report personality traits pre- and post-electroconvulsive therapy: a preliminary study

The accuracy and value of personality assessment for depressed patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an underexplored and controversial area. However, there are data suggesting that personality traits and personality disorders affect the ultimate outcome of depressed patients receiving a variety of somatic treatments including ECT. Despite these data, controversy continues regarding the advisability of evaluating personality functioning in patients with severe depression. This study sought to explore the stability and predictive value of self-reported personality traits in depressed patients undergoing ECT. Sixteen subjects completed a self-report test of personality functioning and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) before and after ECT treatment. The results showed that the majority of self-report personality traits were stable pre- and post-ECT treatment. However, major depressive disorder did significantly affect the report of avoidant, histrionic, aggressive-sadistic, and schizotypal personality traits. Treatment did not change the overall personality profile of these subjects. Furthermore, regression analysis controlling for pretreatment depression showed pretreatment borderline personality traits to be significantly related to the posttreatment depression scores (response to treatment). These findings suggest that routine administration of a standard self-report measure of personality may aid in the evaluation of and treatment planning for patients receiving ECT.