Some Personality Traits in Patients with Bipolar II Disorder

Abstract

Introduction

Bipolar I disorder (BD I) is characterised by at least one full-manic episode. In bipolar II disorder (BD II), all upswings are hypomanic, which means they never reach full-blown mania. Therefore, BD II evolves into BD I, but BD I can never evolve into BD II. Differential diagnosis of patients evaluated for BD II should include BD I, major depressive disorder (MDD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD). Patients with BPD often have the same type of severely disrupted life as well as patients with BD II because of the multiple episodes of significant mood disorder symptoms.

Objectives

Establishing some personality traits in patients suffering from BD II, their relationship and predictability.

Methods

The test group was formed out of 55 patients diagnosed with BD II in remission phase from 2012 until 2015. Three measuring instruments were used: Eysenck's Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), Self-destruction Scale (SAD) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Results

We calculated the prevalence of personality traits (neuroticism, psychoticism, elements of borderline personality Disorder), their correlation and predictive validity.

Conclusion

We established the prevalence of neuroticism, elements of Borderline Personality Disorder and their significant predictability in patients with BD II in remission.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.