Comparison of Temperament and Character in Major Depressive Disorder Versus Bipolar II Disorder

OBJECTIVE The aim was to determine how personality of major depressive disorder (MDD) patients is different from that of bipolar II disorder (BIID) patients. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, two groups of patients with MDD (47 patients) and BIID (45 patients) between 18 and 55 years old were included and compared. The research instrument that subjects answered to was Temperament and Characteristic Inventory-125-R. RESULTS Among temperament dimensions, novelty seeking, and reward-dependently in contrast with other traits such as harm avoidance and persistence showed a significant difference between the two studied groups. Among characteristic dimensions, self-direction and self-transcendence demonstrated a significant difference between the two groups (p < 0.005). CONCLUSION Patients suffering from BIID are sensation seeker and are motivated by stimulates more often than MDD patients are. They feel euphoria more and, find the world more stimulating.