A personalidade como critério para o diagnóstico diferencial entre experiências anômalas e transtornos mentais

Abstract

Introduction: There is a high prevalence of psychotic experiences in the general population. Many of these experiences have similar phenomenology to religious/spiritual experiences (R/E), also called anomalous experiences (AEs), which are not necessarily pathological. Thus, it is important to find criteria that will guide mental health professionals to perform a differential diagnosis between an AE and a mental disorder (MD). A profile analysis of the personality of a person can help to distinguish whether his/her experiences are healthy or pathological. However, few studies have been developed to investigate the relationships between AEs and personality. Spiritist Centers are prime locations to investigate the issue because they foster AEs and people with AEs often seek help in them. Objectives: To verify whether personality traits, as measured by the Temperament and Character Inventory (ITC), can be a criterion for the differential diagnosis between AEs and MDs. To observe if the dimension of Unusual Experiences (Schizotypy) is associated with MDs or quality of life (QoL). To observe how different forms of religiosity are associated with TMs and QoL. Methods: this is a propective observational cohort study (1 year follow-up) with 115 subjects who had AEs and sought Spiritist Centers in the city of Juiz de Fora/MG. Instruments: Sociodemographic Interview; TCI-R (Temperament and Character Inventory, revised and short); Durel - P (Duke Religious Index - in Portuguese); WHOQOL - BREF (Instrument of Quality of Life of the World Health Organization - abbreviated); SCID (Structured Clinical Interview for Axis I disorders of the DSM-IV) O - LIFE - R (Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences- short). Logistic and linear regression models, controlling for sociodemographic factors, were used to investigate the associations between personality, dimensions of schizotypy and religiosity (predictors) with TMs and QoL (outcomes). Results: The sample was composed of 70% women, mean age 38,8 years (SD 12,5) 55% with higher education level, profile similar to other studies with spirit mediums in Brazil. There was a current prevalence of 73% of Anxiety Disorders in the sample; 27.8% of Depressive Disorder, 10.4% of Bipolar Disorder and 7% of Psychotic Disorder. Unusual experiences were not associated with QOL or with MDs. Introverted Anhedonia was associated with Psychotic Disorder; Impulsive Non-Conformity was associated with Bipolar Disorder; Novelty Seeking and Reward Dependence were associated with Bipolar Disorder; Self-Directedness and Self-transcendence were not associated with the presence of any MDs. No dimension of religiosity was associated with MD; Cognitive Disorganization was associated with worse QoL in Psychological domain at T0 and T1; Introverted Anhedonia was associated with worse QoL in all domains (physical, psychological, social and environmental) at T0 and with worse QoL in physical domais at T1. Impulsive Non-Conformity was associated with worse QoL in psychological domain. Self-directedness was associated with better quality of life in social and psychological domains, at T0 and T1. Harm avoidance was associated with worse QoL in physical domain. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the analysis of personality traits (temperament and character) of an individual who presents AEs can serve as an important criterion for the differential diagnosis between a not pathological experience and a mental disorder. Future research could investigate about more appropriate terminologies and theories to explain these nonpathological AEs and we must be careful not to confuse them with symptoms of MDs.