Vito Agosti1, Patrick J McGrath. 1. New York State Psychiatric Institute, Unit 35, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA. agostiv@pi.cpmc.columbia.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND:Atypical depression is associated with elevated rates of personality disorders. Studies have confirmed the efficacy of a several antidepressants in the treatment of atypical depression. Whether their pathological dimensions of personality diminish after benefitting from effective medication treatment is unclear. AIMS: To determine the extent that pathological dimensions of character improved among patients who benefitted from treatment. METHOD: One-hundred and fifty-four outpatients with DSM-IV Major Depression who met Columbia criteria for atypical depression were randomized to receive fluoxetine, imipramine or placebo for a 10-week double-blind clinical trial. The Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) was administered at the initiation of treatment and 8 weeks later. Low scores on either of two Character dimensions (Self-Directiveness or Cooperativeness) indicate psychopathology. RESULTS: Responders had a substantial reduction in Harm Avoidance, but post-treatment scores remained significantly higher than the normal control group (NCG). Fluoxetine and Imipramine did not produce different changes on personality, except for Self-Transcendence. LIMITATIONS: High proportion of missing data, inadequate sample size, post-hoc analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Among responders, Self-Directiveness improved and normalized; Harm Avoidance also improved but did not normalize. These data suggests that effective treatments reduce some pathological personality traits as well as improving mood.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND:Atypical depression is associated with elevated rates of personality disorders. Studies have confirmed the efficacy of a several antidepressants in the treatment of atypical depression. Whether their pathological dimensions of personality diminish after benefitting from effective medication treatment is unclear. AIMS: To determine the extent that pathological dimensions of character improved among patients who benefitted from treatment. METHOD: One-hundred and fifty-four outpatients with DSM-IV Major Depression who met Columbia criteria for atypical depression were randomized to receive fluoxetine, imipramine or placebo for a 10-week double-blind clinical trial. The Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) was administered at the initiation of treatment and 8 weeks later. Low scores on either of two Character dimensions (Self-Directiveness or Cooperativeness) indicate psychopathology. RESULTS: Responders had a substantial reduction in Harm Avoidance, but post-treatment scores remained significantly higher than the normal control group (NCG). Fluoxetine and Imipramine did not produce different changes on personality, except for Self-Transcendence. LIMITATIONS: High proportion of missing data, inadequate sample size, post-hoc analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Among responders, Self-Directiveness improved and normalized; Harm Avoidance also improved but did not normalize. These data suggests that effective treatments reduce some pathological personality traits as well as improving mood.
Authors: Cindy Claassen; Ben Kurian; Madhukar H Trivedi; Bruce D Grannemann; Ekta Tuli; Ronny Pipes; Anne Marie Preston; Ariell Flood Journal: Contemp Clin Trials Date: 2008-08-12 Impact factor: 2.226
Authors: Rajamannar Ramasubbu; Laina McAusland; Sanchit Chopra; Darren L Clark; Bettina H Bewernick; Zelma H T Kiss Journal: J Psychiatry Neurosci Date: 2021-07-01 Impact factor: 6.186