Schizotypy and bipolar disorder

Abstract

Bipolar disorder is a serious and chronic mood disorder, which in extreme forms can lead to psychosis, especially in manic states. In this sense, historically, the differentiation from schizophrenia has represented a real clinical challenge and a nosological dilemma. Categorical diagnostic approaches have promoted progress in the generation of consensus and the facilitation of scientific communication, but many times, they have done so to the detriment of the complexity and richness of clinical presentations. As a counterpart, the notion of the bipolar spectrum proposes a dimensional perspective, a continuum of severity in whose maximum expression alterations in the content of thought or sensory perception can stand out. Schizotype, where these manifestations can be found, has long been pointed out as a series of personality characteristics linked to schizophrenia. But its presence can be verified in other areas of psychopathology, even outside it. Regarding its presence in mood disorders, schizotypal traits, instead of being a marker of a worse prognosis, could be related to positive aspects such as creativity. The objective of this work is to investigate, through a bibliographic review, the association between schizotypy and bipolar disorder, mainly its possible role in the creative processes associated with this pathology.