Personality and the predisposition(s) to bipolar disorder: heuristic benefits of a two‐dimensional model

Abstract

Predisposition to BD can be usefully understood in terms of two reciprocally related dimensions of vulnerability (T-Depression and T-Mania), which can be separated on the basis of their personality correlates.

Personality, Emotions, and the Emotional Disorders

“…The results have varied considerably as a function of the measure that was used to assess these symptoms. Murray, Goldstone, and Cunningham (2007) reported correlations between the Big Five and the Mania scale 3 of the General Behavior Inventory (GBI; Depue, Krauss, Spoont, & Arbisi, 1989; Depue et al, 1981) in a sample of 175 students. GBI Mania was strongly correlated with neuroticism ( r = .51), more moderately negatively related to both agreeableness ( r = -.36) and conscientiousness ( r = -.36), and weakly associated with extraversion ( r = .10) and openness ( r = .14).…”

The clinical significance of creativity in bipolar disorder

“…Like the high prevalence disorders, BD is primarily associated with elevated N compared to the general population (Murray, Goldstone, & Cunningham, 2007; Quilty, Sellbom, Tackett, & Bagby, 2009; Smillie et al, 2009). There is also evidence for elevated O in BD (Lozano & Johnson, 2001; Nowakowska, Strong, Santosa, Wang, & Ketter, 2005; Ren & Dia, 2001; Strong et al, 2007).…”

“…Some studies have found that elevated E separates BD from unipolar depression and the internalizing disorders (Bagby et al, 1997; Hecht, Van Calker, Berger, & Von Zerssen, 1998; Ren & Dia, 2001; but see for nonreplication Sacher, 2003; Tackett, Quilty, Sellbom, Rector, & Bagby, 2008). The positive relationship between E and BD may be strongest in the mania-proneness component of BD diathesis (Murray et al, 2007), and may be more pronounced in BD-II (Akiskal et al, 2006). Particular components of E, such as positive affectivity (Murray McNiel, Lowman, & Fleeson, 2010) or reward pursuit (Johnson, 2005) may be more specifically related to BD.…”

The prestige model of spectrum bipolarity

“…Tijssen et al [30] and Murrayet al [31] have provided evidence that hypomania may not always be a sign of morbid psychopathology. Such persons may demonstrate a self-limiting, relatively mild, elevation of mood without mania -so called unipolar hypomania, as exemplified in the findings of the National Comorbidity Survey Replication [32].…”