Impulsivity: Differential relationship to depression and mania in bipolar disorder

• Published in: Journal of affective disorders Vol. 106; no. 3; pp. 241 - 248
• Main Authors: Swann, Alan C, Steinberg, Joel L, Lijffijt, Marijn, Moeller, F. Gerard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-03-2008; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Affective Symptoms - diagnosis; Affective Symptoms - epidemiology; Affective Symptoms - psychology; Attention - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Bipolar affective disorder; Bipolar disorder; Bipolar Disorder - diagnosis; Bipolar Disorder - epidemiology; Bipolar Disorder - psychology; Bipolar disorders; Cognition - physiology; Comorbidity; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Depressive Disorder - diagnosis; Depressive Disorder - epidemiology; Depressive Disorder - psychology; Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Hopelessness; Humans; Impulsive Behavior - diagnosis; Impulsive Behavior - epidemiology; Impulsive Behavior - psychology; Impulsivity; Mania; Medical sciences; Models, Psychological; Mood disorders; Motivation; Motor Activity - physiology; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales - statistics & numerical data; Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Regression Analysis; Risk Factors; Substance-Related Disorders - diagnosis; Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology; Substance-Related Disorders - psychology; Suicide; Suicide - psychology; Mania; Bipolar disorder; Depression; Impulsivity; Mood disorder
• ISSN: 0165-0327; 1573-2517
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2007.07.011

Abstract Introduction Impulsivity, a component of the initiation of action, may have a central role in the clinical biology of affective disorders. Impulsivity appears clearly to be related to mania. Despite its relationship to suicidal behavior, relationships between impulsivity and depression have been studied less than those with mania. Impulsivity is a complex construct, and it may be related differently to depression and to mania. Methods In subjects with bipolar disorder, we investigated impulsivity in relationship to affective symptoms. Trait-like impulsivity was assessed with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11). Affective symptoms were measured using the Change version of the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SADS-C). Measures were compared using analysis of variance, multiple regression and factor analysis. Results Impulsivity, as measured by the BIS, was related differentially to measures of depression and mania. Total and attentional impulsivity correlated independently with depression and mania scores. Motor impulsivity correlated with mania scores, while nonplanning impulsivity correlated with depression scores. These relationships were strongest in subjects who had never met criteria for a substance use disorder. Among manic symptoms, visible hyperactivity correlated most strongly with BIS scores, regardless of clinical state. Among depressive symptoms, hopelessness, anhedonia, and suicidality correlated most strongly with BIS scores. Conclusions Depression and mania are differentially related to impulsivity. Impulsivity is related more strongly to measures of activity or motivation than to depressive or manic affect. The relationship between impulsivity and hopelessness may be an important factor in risk for suicide.