LACK OF INSIGHT IN BIPOLAR DISORDER - THE ACUTE MANIC EPISODE

This study examined the clinical correlates of lack of insight in bipo lar disorder. In 28 acutely manic patients interviewed upon hospitaliz ation and/or discharge, mean scores on the Insight and Treatment Attit udes Questionnaire (ITAQ) improved only slightly, from 12.0 on admissi on to 15.5 on discharge (p = .08), despite marked improvement in other psychiatric symptoms. A reciprocal relationship was found between hig her ITAQ scores and involuntary hospitalization (r = -.38). Like schiz ophrenia, bipolar disorder appears to be a condition in which poor ins ight is a prominent characteristic.