Abstract :
Introduction: Bipolar patients show increased impulsivity during symptomatic period. Impulsivity during euthymic phase is not much studied. Impulsivity is a risk factor for future episodes of BPAD, suicidality, poor functional outcome and mortality.
Aims and Objectives: The current study conducted during euthymic phase to study impulsivity compared with controls and to assess any particular personality trait manifests in the disorder. It is also aimed to study the correlation between the variables “impulsivity and personality” profiles among cases.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on patients of euthymic bipolar disorder (n=50) and healthy controls (n=50). Patients were assessed using Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) to diagnose remission. They were administered Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11(BIS-11) and Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI).The healthy attendants of bipolar patients without any psychiatric disorder were taken as controls.
Results: All three facets of impulsivity of test and control sample were found to be statistically significant. The difference between test and control scores of extraversion was found to be statistically significant (p=.002). Among test sample the extraversion scale and total score of Barratt impulsivity scale and its subscale facets i.e., attentional, motor and non-planning showed positive correlation. Among test sample, correlation between extraversion, BIS total score (p=0.018) and non-planning impulsivity (p=0.026) was found significant. The neurotic scale also showed positive correlation with BIS total and sub scales but none of them found statistically significant among test sample.
Conclusions: Impulsivity was found to be increased during euthymic phase of bipolar patients. It is associated with substance abuse, suicide and poor functional outcome. Hence it is very important that impulsivity has to be assessed in all bipolar affective disorder patients.
Keyword :
Bipolar disorder, Impulsivity, Euthymic.