HIGH PREVALENCE OF PERSONALITY-DISORDERS AMONG CIRCADIAN-RHYTHM SLEEPDISORDERS (CRSD) PATIENTS

The purpose of this study was to examine systematically our previous c linical impression regarding the prevalence of personality disorders i n patients suffering from circadian rhythm sleep disorders (CRSD). We hypothesized that, in a group of patients suffering from CRSD, there w ould be a higher frequency of personality disorders than in a group of healthy controls. The experimental group consisted of CRSD patients d iagnosed according to a clinical interview and actigraphic recordings. The control group consisted of healthy volunteers in whom CRSD had be en ruled out by means of a self-administered questionnaire. Both group s were assessed for personality disorders using the MCMI, a diagnostic tool based on Millon's biopsychosocial theory of personality and the PRQ-R, a diagnostic tool based on the DMS-III-R. Both tests provided c lear and significant support for the hypothesis that individuals suffe ring from CRSD are characterized to a greater extent by personality di sorders than a control group. No specific characteristic pattern or pr ofile of personality disorders was clearly detected. Correct early dia gnosis and treatment of CRSD may improve afflicted individuals' adapti ve capabilities and perhaps even prevent the development of a personal ity disorder. This suggests how important a greater awareness of CRSD on the part of the professional community may be. Copyright (C) 1996 E lsevier Science Inc.