Abstract
BackgroundAn impairment of self and interpersonal functioning has an impact on coping strategies, regulation of affect and stress. Little is known so far about the impairment of personality functioning in patients with bipolar disorder (BD). The aim of this study is to assess the effects of personality structure and attachment in BD patients on the symptom burden.MethodsForty-six patients with the diagnosis of BD were assessed by the 12-item Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis Structure Questionnaire (OPD-SQS), the short version of Experience in Close Relationship-revised (ECR-R-D), and the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI 18) to determine the level of personality functioning, attachment patterns, and symptom load.ResultsWe observed positive correlations between personality difficulties, insecure attachment, and symptom load in patients with BD. A low level of structural integration and an insecure attachment style in patients with BD were accompanied by a significantly higher symptom load (r = 0.66, p ≤ 0.01). Interestingly, there were no significant differences in the structural integration (T(1.44) = −0.93, p = 0.357) and in the attachment style attachment related avoidance: (T(1,44) = 1.50, p = 0.140); attachment related anxiety (T(1,44) = −0.781, p = 0.439) of study participants with BD when compared to the normative value of the general population.LimitationsOur limitations are the small sample size of our group and the lack of a control group.ConclusionIn general, our results suggest that there is a link between personality structure and affective dynamics including depressive, anxiety, and somatization symptoms in BD. These findings underline the increasing importance of assessing personality structure and attachment for diagnosis and treatment planning of BD.
Highlights
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe mood disorder, which is characterized by a cycling between the emotional extremes of mania and major depression
Personality structure represents the capacities for self and object recognition, regulation, communication, and attachment
The aim of our study is to investigate the differences in personality functioning and structure in individuals with BD in comparison to the personality functioning of the general healthy population using normative values [25]
Summary
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe mood disorder, which is characterized by a cycling between the emotional extremes of mania and major depression It has a lifetime prevalence of approximately 2% in the general population [1]. Functional domains, which are often impaired in BD, include personality structure, affective, cognitive, and self-regulatory resources as well as the quality of the self-other representation. These functional domains are important for the dynamic interplay of meaningful relationships [7]. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of personality structure and attachment in BD patients on the symptom burden
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
