Bipolar Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Bipolar, including details on bipolar disorder, symptoms, treatment, depression, medication. | |||||||
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Measuring cognitive insight in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: a comparative study.Engh JA, Friis S, Birkenaes AB, Jonsdottir H, Ringen PA, Ruud T, Sundet KS, Opjordsmoen S, Andreassen OA
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS) has been designed for assessment of self-reflection on patients anomalous experiences and interpretations of own beliefs. The scale has been developed and validated for patients with schizophrenia. We wanted to study the utility of the scale for patients with bipolar disorder. The relationship between the BCIS as a measure of cognitive insight and established methods for assessment of insight of illness was explored in both diagnostic groups. METHODS: The BCIS self-report inventory was administered to patients with schizophrenia (n=111), bipolar disorder (n= 69) and controls (n=64). The 15 items of the inventory form two subscales, self-reflectiveness and self-certainty. RESULTS: The internal consistency of the subscales was good for the schizophrenia group, the bipolar group and the controls. The mean subscale scores were not significantly different for the three groups. Self-certainty and scores on insight item PANSS correlate significantly in the schizophrenia group. Four items in subscale self-reflectiveness referring to psychotic experiences can not be applied to control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: BCIS with its two subscales seems applicable for patients with bipolar disorder as well as for patients with schizophrenia. The self-report inventory can also be applied to control subjects if the items referring to psychotic experiences are omitted. In schizophrenia high scores on self-certainty is possibly associated with poor insight of illness. For the bipolar group the subscales represent two different dimensions which are largely independent of traditional insight measures. Published 12 December 2007 in BMC Psychiatry, 7(1): 71.
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