Personality Styles of Patients with Bipolar Disorder: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

The relationship that exists between personality and bipolar disorder (BD) is a complex one with numerous published studies yielding conflicting results. Thus we intended to ascertain whether a relationship exists between personality and bipolar disorder in a South African sample of 23 bipolar individuals. The MCMI-III was used to confirm the diagnosis of BD and to measure personality styles. A significant relationship between bipolar disorder and the following personality styles was found: avoidant, passive-aggressive, antisocial and depressive. A significant relationship between BD and debasement was also found. No significant gender differences were found for the personality styles. These results are discussed in the light of research on BD and personality.