Cited by 439Bipolar Disorder and TreatmentSuicide and Self-Harm StudiesPersonality Disorders and Psychopathology

Increased impulsivity associated with severity of suicide attempt history in patients with bipolar disorder

Swann, Alan C., Dougherty, Donald M., Pazzaglia, Peggy J., Pham, Mary, Steinberg, Joel L., Moeller, F. Gerard·2005·American Journal of Psychiatry

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Impulsivity is a prominent and measurable characteristic of bipolar disorder that can contribute to risk for suicidal behavior. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between impulsivity and severity of past suicidal behavior, a potential predictor of eventual suicide, in patients with bipolar disorder. METHOD: In bipolar disorder subjects with either a definite history of attempted suicide or no such history, impulsivity was assessed with both a questionnaire (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale) and behavioral laboratory performance measures (immediate memory/delayed memory tasks). Diagnosis was determined with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Interviews of patients and review of records were used to determine the number of past suicide attempts and the medical severity of the most severe attempt. RESULTS: Subjects with a history of suicide attempts had more impulsive errors on the immediate memory task and had shorter response latencies, especially for impulsive responses. Impulsivity was highest in subjects with the most medically severe suicide attempts. Effects were not accounted for by presence of depression or mania at the time of testing. Barratt Impulsiveness Scale scores were numerically, but not significantly, higher in subjects with suicide attempts. A history of alcohol abuse was associated with greater probability of a suicide attempt. Multivariate analysis showed that ethanol abuse history and clinical state at the time of testing did not have a significant effect after impulsivity was taken into account. DISCUSSION: These results suggest that a history of severe suicidal behavior in patients with bipolar disorder is associated with impulsivity, manifested as a tendency toward rapid, unplanned responses.

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Crossref · 10.1176/appi.ajp.162.9.1680

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Authors
Swann, A. C., Dougherty, D. M., Pazzaglia, P. J., Pham, M., Steinberg, J. L., & Moeller, F. G.
Affiliations
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (US)
Venue
American Journal of Psychiatry
Published
2005-09-01
Volume
162
Issue
9
Pages
1680-1687
ISSN
  • 0002-953X (ISSN-L)
  • 1535-7228
OpenAlex
W2096179451
Cited by
439
References
54
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 26 · 2015: 28 · 2014: 36 · 2013: 29 · 2012: 39
FWCI
9.67
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • American Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (5r01da008425-08)
  • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (AA 12046, R01AA012046)
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (DA08425)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Bipolar Disorder and Treatment
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Disorders and Psychopathology
Keywords
impulsivity, bipolar disorder, suicide attempts, suicide risk, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, immediate memory, response latency, alcohol abuse
MeSH terms
Adult, Alcoholism, Bipolar Disorder, Female, Humans, Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders, Impulsive Behavior, Male, Medical History Taking, Neuropsychological Tests, Personality Inventory, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Surveys and Questionnaires, Reaction Time, Risk Factors, Severity of Illness Index, Suicide, Attempted, Comorbidity, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

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