Sensory processing disorders, duration of current episode, and severity of side effects in major affective and anxiety disorders

Abstract

IntroductionLonger duration of untreated illness, longer duration of current episode, and severity of medication side effects may negatively influence the psychosocial functioning in major affective and anxiety disorders. Studies also suggested the involvement of sensory perception in emotional and psychopathological processes.ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to investigate the nature of the association between duration of untreated illness, duration of current episode, and severity of medication side effects.AimsThe study is aimed to examine the relationship between sensory processing disorders (SPD), duration of untreated illness, duration of current illness episode, and the severity of side effects related to psychoactive medications.MethodsThe sample included 178 participants with an age ranging from 17 to 85 years (mean = 53.84 ± 15.55); psychiatric diagnoses were as follow: unipolar major depressive disorder (MDD) (50%), bipolar disorder (BD) (33.7%), and anxiety disorders (16.3%). subjects completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser (UKU), and Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP) questionnaire.ResultsLonger duration of current episode correlated with greater registration of sensory input and lower avoidance from sensory input among unipolar patients, lower registration of sensory input, and higher tendency for sensory sensitivity/sensation avoidance among bipolar participants. In addition? longer duration of current episode correlated with lower sensory sensitivity/avoidance among anxiety participants, respectively. Mean UKU total scores were associated with lower sensory sensitivity among bipolar individuals as well.ConclusionsSPD expressed in either hypo-/hypersensitivity may be used to clinically characterize subjects with major affective and anxiety disorders.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.