Abstract

BACKGROUND
Interactions between characteristics of bipolar and Axis II cluster B disorders are clinically and diagnostically challenging. Characteristics associated with personality disorders may be dimensional aspects of bipolar disorder. We investigated relationships among antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) or borderline personality disorder symptoms, impulsivity, and course of illness in bipolar disorder.
METHODS
Subjects with bipolar disorder were recruited from the community. Diagnosis was by structured clinical interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I and -II), psychiatric symptom assessment by the change version of the schedule for affective disorders and schizophrenia (SADS-C), severity of Axis II symptoms by ASPD and borderline personality disorder SCID-II symptoms, and impulsivity by the Barratt impulsiveness scale (BIS-11).
RESULTS
ASPD and borderline symptoms were not related to clinical state or affective symptoms. Borderline symptoms correlated with BIS-11 impulsivity scores, and predicted history of suicide attempts independently of the relationship to impulsivity. ASPD symptoms were more strongly related to course of illness, including early onset, frequent episodes, and substance-related disorders. These effects persisted after allowance for gender and substance-use disorder history.
CONCLUSIONS
Personality disorder symptoms appear to be dimensional, trait-like characteristics of bipolar disorder. ASPD and Borderline symptoms are differentially related to impulsivity and course of illness.

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Authors

Swann AC, Lijffijt M, Lane SD, Steinberg JL, Moeller FG

Institution

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address: Alan.C.Swann@uth.tmc.edu.

Source

Journal of affective disorders 148:2-3 2013 Jun pg 384-90

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22835849