Clinical and psychodemographic profile of victimized versus nonvictimized Egyptian patients with bipolar mood disorder

Abstract

Background Victimization among individuals with severe mental illness is a common phenomenon. Individuals with bipolar disorder show unique symptoms that may make them vulnerable to victimization. Objectives To explore the psychodemographic variables and clinical characteristics related to victimized patients with bipolar mood disorders in comparison to nonvictimized patients. Participants and methods A total of 100 patients were recruited from the inpatient wards and outpatient clinics of the Institute of Psychiatry, Ain Shams University. They were subjected to the following: an extensive questionnaire to obtain demographic data, Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed. Axis I diagnosis (Clinical Version), the Young Mania Rating Scale, the Mood Disorder Questionnaire, Global Assessment of Functioning, Clinical Global Impression, and the Victimization Questionnaire. Results In total, 52 patients of the sample studied were nonvictimized and 48 patients were victimized. Parental separation, domestic violence, and child abuse were associated with victimization. Victimized patients scored higher on Young Mania Rating Scale and Mood Disorder Questionnaire. They were considerably more ill than nonvictimized patients. In terms of psychiatric comorbidity, 41.7% had comorbid psychiatric conditions; in addition, 16.7% were involved in substance abuse and 8.3% were dependent on psychoactive substances. It was found that all victimized patients were subjected to emotional victimization, 66.7% were subjected to miscellaneous victimization, and 58.3% were subjected to physical victimization. Patients were subjected to victimization mainly by family members. Moreover, none of the patients had reported these acts, considering it as being a personal issue or not important enough to be reported. Conclusion Patients with bipolar mood disorder are vulnerable to victimization. The severity of symptoms during episodes was found to be a triggering factor for victimization by guardians. This study drew the attention of clinicians toward investigation of the exposure of their patients to different types of victimization and finding possible solutions for the management and prevention of such acts. Copyright © Middle East Current Psychiatry.