Impulsivity, aggression and personality profile in major psychiatric conditions: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Impulsivity and aggression are complex behavioural disorders that are part of the core symptoms of many psychiatric disorders, especially in the background of personality traits. With respect to these factors, there is scarcity in the literature available in India. Aim: To study the presence of Impulsivity, Aggression and personality profile in three major psychiatric illnesses (Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and Alcohol use disorder) and compares them among the three groups.Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study wherein total of 112 patients diagnosed with one of the three major psychiatric illness i.e., schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (BPAD) or Alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) were recruited into the study. Apart from descriptive statistics, data analysis was done using one-was ANOVA, chi-square test and Pearson’s correlation.Results: The means BIS-11 scores were higher in the group with BPAD, followed by schizophrenia and ADS; the difference was found to be statistically significant (F value – 4.40; p value 0.01). On Eysenck personality questionnaire (EPQ), scores on extraversion component were higher on BPAD group whereas that on psychoticism component were more on schizophrenia group. The difference of mean scores in these components among three groups was statistically significant (p value < 0.05). On Pearson’s correlation, age was found to significantly negatively correlated with total BIS-11 scores (r= -0.19; p = 0.04).Conclusion: A blanket approach does not work for impulsivity in every psychiatric illness. There is a need to individualize treatment approaches. In spite of the diagnosis, impulsivity in an individual reduces as age increases.