Date of Submission

2005

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

Department Chair

Robert A. DiTomasso, Ph.D., ABPP

First Advisor

Barbara Golden, Psy.D., ABPP, Chairperson

Second Advisor

Robert A. DiTomasso, Ph.D., ABPP

Third Advisor

Rosette C. Biester, Ph.D.

Abstract

The present study attempted to empirically identify symptoms of bipolar disorder to define a more accurate clinical description. A group of 30 individuals with a formal diagnosis of bipolar disorder, who had joined a support group as outpatients, a comparison group of 30 individuals with unipolar depression from an outpatient support group, and 30 nonpatient adults were administered identical measures of symptoms. Results suggested that individuals with bipolar disorder endorsed symptoms correlated with paranoia to a greater degree than individuals with unipolar disorder or nonpatient adults. In addition, symptoms of hostility, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, global severity and psychoticism, as defined by the SCL-90-R, were prominent features to a significant degree when compared with nonpatient adults. The implications and limitations of the findings are discussed.

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