Five-Factor Personality Profile in Bipolar Mood Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder

Bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder have some similar symptoms that might confuse the diagnosis. Many experts defend the borderline pathology within the spectrum of bipolar illness.

This study aimed to compare patients with borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder from a novel perspective, i.e., personality traits defined by the five-factor model of personality.

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in Psychiatry Clinics of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Consecutive patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and bipolar I disorder by a semi-structured clinical interview were enrolled excluding those with comorbidity. The NEO inventory was used to score on five major domains of personality.

A total of 60 patients (40 males) completed the study with a mean age of 28.3 ± 8.1 years (range: 19 - 59). Regardless of the diagnosis, patients scored the highest on openness to experience and the least on conscientiousness. There was no significant difference between patients with bipolar mood disorder and patients with borderline personality disorder in terms of five personality dimensions. Males, in general, scored higher than females on conscientious, but male patients with bipolar disorder scored higher on agreeableness and extroversion.

This study showed a comparable personality profile between patients with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder.