Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine whether anxiety increases impulsivity among patients with bipolar disorder (BPD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Subjects comprised 205 BPD (mean age ± SD 36.6 ± 11.5 y; 29.3% males) and 105 with MDD (mean age ± SD 38 ± 13.1 y; 29.5% males) diagnosed using the DSM-IV-SCID. Impulsivity was assessed with the Barratt Impulsivity Scale and anxiety with the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. Comorbid anxiety disorders were present in 58.9% of the BPD and 29.1% of MDD. BPD were significantly more impulsive than MDD (. p <0.001), and both BPD and MDD subjects showed significantly higher impulsivity when anxiety was present either as a comorbidity (. p = 0.010) or as a symptom (. p = 0.011). Impulsivity rose more rapidly with increasing anxiety symptoms in MDD than in BPD. The presence of anxiety, either as a comorbid disorder or as current anxiety symptoms, is associated with higher impulsivity in subjects with either BPD or MDD.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 616-621 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Psychiatric Research |
Volume | 46 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - May 2012 |
Keywords
- Anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- Impulsivity
- Major depressive disorder
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Biological Psychiatry
- Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)