Impulsivity and Sensation Seeking in Bipolar Disorder: Association with Impulse Control Disorders
F. Sahnoun, S. Ellouze, Y. Kammoun, S. Frikha, N. Halouani, M. Turki, J. AloulouIntroduction
Bipolar disorder is often characterized by heightened impulsivity and sensation seeking, which may reflect a latent vulnerability to, or the coexistence of, Impulse Control Disorders (ICDs). Identifying the role of these traits may improve early detection and management of ICDs in this population.
Objectives
To examine the relationship between impulsivity, sensation seeking, and ICDs among bipolar patients.
Methods
This cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study included patients with bipolar disorder, during euthymia phase and receiving psychiatric follow-up in the Psychiatry “B” Department of Hédi Chaker University Hospital of Sfax, Tunisia.
Bipolar patients were assessed using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale in its arabic dialect version (BIS-11) and the Sensation Seeking Scale of Zuckerman (SSS). ICDs were identified using the modified Minnesota Impulsive Disorders Interview (mMIDI).
Results
A total of 72 patients with bipolar disorder participated in our study. Their mean age was 44.13 years, and the sex ratio (F/H) was 1.88. The mean duration of illness was 17.04 years. Most patients (83.3%) had bipolar I disorder. Overall, 33.3% of participants presented at least one impulse control disorder (ICD).
The mean BIS-11 score among patients was 57.07±11,18, and a marked level of impulsivity was observed in 12.5% of cases. The mean Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS) score was 9.68 ± 5.79.
Impulse control disorders were significantly associated with the total BIS-11 score (p < 0.001), the total SSS score (p = 0.004), as well as with the SSS subscales of thrill and adventure seeking (p = 0.046), disinhibition (p = 0.022), and boredom susceptibility (p = 0.028).
Conclusions
The strong association between impulsivity, sensation seeking, and ICDs in bipolar disorder suggests that these personality dimensions play a central role in the expression of impulsive behaviors. Integrating psychological assessment and specific psychotherapeutic strategies could enhance the overall management of bipolar patients.
Disclosure of Interest
None Declared