Impulsivity linked to disorders

Individuals with many different psychiatric
disorders have a higher tendency to choose smaller, immediate rewards over
larger, delayed rewards, a study led by Hamilton researchers has found.
The findings of a meta-analysis by researchers of McMaster University and St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, which combined data from more than 40 studies, was published in JAMA Psychiatry.
That this type of decision-making tied to
impulsivity, called delay discounting, is heightened in those with certain
psychiatric disorders compared to others, is expected to have an important
impact on future research and treatment across an array of disorders.
The study analyzed data from studies across
eight different psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder,
bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia, eating
disorders, and others. The largest delay discounting effects were found to be
associated with bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and
schizophrenia.
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