Temperament, character traits, and alexithymia in patients with panic disorder

Abstract

BackgroundThe primary aim of the present study was to compare temperament and character traits and levels of alexithymia between patients with panic disorder and healthy controls.MethodsSixty patients with panic disorder admitted to the psychiatry clinic at Fırat University Hospital were enrolled in the study, along with 62 healthy age-matched and sex-matched controls. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV axis I (SCID-I), Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and Panic Agoraphobia Scale (PAS) were administered to all subjects.ResultsWithin the temperament dimension, the mean subscale score for harm avoidance was significantly higher in patients with panic disorder than in controls. With respect to character traits, mean scores for self-directedness and cooperativeness were significantly lower than in healthy controls. Rates of alexithymia were 35% (n=21) and 11.3% (n=7) in patients with panic disorder and healthy controls, respectively. The difficulty identifying feelings subscale score was significantly higher in patients with panic disorder (P=0.03). A moderate positive correlation was identified between PAS and TAS scores (r=0.447, P<0.01). Moderately significant positive correlations were also noted for PAS and TCI subscale scores and scores for novelty seeking, harm avoidance, and self-transcendence.ConclusionIn our study sample, patients with panic disorder and healthy controls differed in TCI parameters and rate of alexithymia. Larger prospective studies are required to assess for causal associations.

Does Personality Matter? Temperament and Character Dimensions in Panic Subtypes

“…These results seem to support the hypothesis that HA might be a stable temperamental dimension predisposing individuals to PD; nevertheless, it must be kept in mind that in most studies heterogeneous samples of patients with psychiatric comorbidities, such as mood, anxiety, and personality disorders were enrolled (13)(14). At the present, these evidences are not strong enough to affirm that high HA and low SD indicate vulnerability to PD, and further studies are needed to better understand this association (11). To best of our knowledge, no studies specifically investigated the association between Cloninger's temperament and character dimensions and PD subtypes.…”

“…Moreover, an additional source of symptomatic heterogeneity may depend on the possible association of PD with personality traits and constellations (10). A number of studies in the literature (11)(12)(13)(14)(15) have examined the relationship between PD and personality traits according to the psychobiological model developed by Cloninger et al (16). This model attributes to temperament and character dimensions the role of essential foundations of personality.…”

Sense of alexithymia in patients with anxiety disorders comorbid with recurrent urticaria

“…They focused on patients with alexithymia and anxiety disorders. 33 , 34 Thus, the study results presented in this article are considered pioneering by the authors.…”

Panico: nosografia di un'entit&agrave;, clinica di un disturbo

“…La "cecità emozionale" (Lanee et al, 1997) nella decodifica di vissuti interiori rappresenta un aspetto dell'intelligenza emozionale ed è predittrice di una maggiore gravità del disturbo (De Berardis et al, 2007). È opportuno valutare con attenzione questi aspetti (Izci et al, 2014, Zou et al, 2016 non solo per un corretto inquadramento nosografico ma anche per le importanti ripercussioni in termini psicoterapeutici. Una difficoltà nell'identificare accuratamente le emozioni si lega ad una difficoltà conseguente ad esprimerle.…”