Objective. Recent experimental studies demonstrate an association between creativity and bipolar illness as well as between creativity and the features of schizotypy. The aim of the present study was an experimental assessment of the elements of creativity as well as features of schizotypy in patients with bipolar mood disorder compared with matched healthy control subjects.
Methods. The study included 40 patients with bipolar mood disorder, and 48 age- and gender- matched control subjects. For an assessment of creativity, the Barron Welsh Art Scale (BWAS) and a creativity part of the Berlin Intelligence Structure Test (BIS) were used. Also, the Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experience (O-LIFE) was applied for the measurements of schizotypy. In bipolar patients, the measurement were made both in acute episode (mania or depression) as well as in remission.
Results. Bipolar patients in remission did not differ on BWAS scale with healthy control subjects. On the other hand, they obtained significantly higher scores on BIS-total as well on the verbal part of the test. Patients with bipolar mood disorders obtained significantly higher scores on all dimensions of schizotypy compared with healthy control subjects. The most significant association between features of schizotypy and creativity in bipolar patients studied was found in remission after a manic episode. .
Conclusions. The results may confirm these of the previous studies showing higher scores on some creativity scales in patients with bipolar mood disorders. They may also corroborate the significance of schizotypy as mediating factor for increased creativity in such patients.