Mood and Personality Disorders Research Program

Evaluation

We have found that, in many instances, our program can help clarify the underlying roots of the problems experienced by patients with personality disorders. The program offers a comprehensive individualized feedback session with a research psychiatrist or psychologist, which can be helpful to future treatment planning, given at the end of the evaluation.

Participation in this program is free, since it is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and the Veterans Administration. If you are interested, for more information please call (212) 241-9775. You may participate in the studies at either of our facilities: The Mount Sinai Medical Center or the James J. Peters VA Medical Center. Reimbursement is available for travel time and/or expenses.

Sample case histories of the types of patients seen in our program and results of their evaluations along with the scientific rationale for our research are outlined in New View of Self: How Genes and Neurotansmitters Shape Your Mind, Your Personality, and Your Mental Health, a book written by Larry J. Siever, M.D. who is the Director of the program and a Professor of Psychiatry at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. The book outlines the scientific revolution that has occurred in the past twenty years in our understanding of the factors responsible for the formation of personality.

Initial assessments offered to all participants, depending on eligibility, may include the following:

• A complete medical examination along with laboratory tests to rule out any underlying medical condition
• An interview with a clinical psychologist on lifetime symptoms and treatment.
• A testing session to assess memory, attention, and perception processing. Vulnerabilities in these areas may be associated with certain personality traits or disorders.
• Self-report questionnaires that assess personality traits such as hostility, depression, impulsivity, anxiety and hostility.

Optional Assessments (recommended when appropriate) include:

• Brain Imaging (through MRI, fMRI and/or PET scans) under baseline and pharmacologic conditions.
• Evaluation of the function of brain chemical systems that are involved in the mental disorders (serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine).
• Tests for stress sensitivity and trauma exposure.
• Treatment trials, when appropriate, including psychotherapy and/or medicine trials.

Depending on an individual’s interests, availability and eligibility, a subject in our research program may participate in one or just a few of our program’s components, or else in many different components. Each component may take anywhere from a half-hour to several hours of the participant’s time. (You will be notified in advance how long you will be expected to be at our research facility for any component in which you agree to participate.)

Contact Information

Mood and Personality Disorders Research Program
The Mount Sinai Medical Center
Box 1228
One Gustave Levy Place
New York, NY 10029
Tel:(212) 241-9775