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Impulsivity, personality and bipolar disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

M. Lewis ,
J. Scott  and
S. Frangou
M. Lewis
Affiliation:
Section of Neurobiology of Psychosis, PO66 Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
J. Scott
Affiliation:
Section of Psychological Treatments, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
S. Frangou*
Affiliation:
Section of Neurobiology of Psychosis, PO66 Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
*
*Corresponding author. Tel.:/fax: +020-7848-0903. E-mail address: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background

Increased impulsivity is a diagnostic feature of mania in bipolar disorder (BD). However it is unclear whether increased impulsivity is also a trait feature of BD and therefore present in remission. Trait impulsivity can also be construed as a personality dimension but the relationship between personality and impulsivity in BD has not been explored. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of impulsivity to clinical status and personality characteristics in patients with BD.

Methods

We measured impulsivity using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) and personality dimensions using Eysenck Personality Questionnaire in 106 BD patients and demographically matched healthy volunteers. Clinical symptoms were assessed in all participants using the Clinical Global Impressions Scale, the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale and the Young Mania Rating Scale. Based on their clinical status patients were divided in remitted (n = 36), subsyndromal (n = 25) and syndromal (n = 45).

Results

There was no difference in BIS-11 and EPQ scores between remitted patients and healthy subjects. Impulsivity, Neuroticism and Psychoticism scores were increased in subsyndromal and syndromal patients. Within the BD group, total BIS-11 score was predicted mainly by symptoms severity followed by Psychoticism and Neuroticism scores.

Conclusions

Increased impulsivity may not be a trait feature of BD. Symptom severity is the most significant determinant of impulsivity measures even in subsyndromal patients.

Keywords

ImpulsivityPersonalityMood disordersDepressionMania
Type
Original article
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 24 , Issue 7 , October 2009 , pp. 464 - 469
Copyright
Copyright © Elsevier Masson SAS 2008

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