Anxiety-depression Spectrum Research Articles

The effect of economic workplace stressors on health outcomes

: There are many stressors in the workplace. Physical ailments are more associated with manual labor and repetitive motion. Wages and hours worked are specific economic stressors that come along with all employment. The reason why wages are considered to be an economic stressor is relatively straightforward. If your wages are low, then you have less money. Hours worked is also considered to be an economic stressor because you have less time to dedicate to your personal responsibilities as the number of hours you work increase. Historically, prior to the 1970’s, there was a linear association between wages and people’s productivity in the workplace. However, after around 1973, a discrepancy arose between the two. Productivity after 1973 continued to rise as it always did. However, wages began to stagnate. Economic workplace stressors decrease financial security of the workforce and cause preventable emotional stress. This emotional stress can increase the likelihood of anxiety-depression spectrum disorders, psychiatric illness, cardiovascular disease, impaired immune response and thyroid function. This review wishes to name the aforementioned economic workplace stressors, state the historical context behind those stressors, contextualize those stressors in 2020, elaborate on the physiological response to acute/chronic stressors and cite interventions to alleviate those stressors.

Consequences of Chronic Non-Cancer Pain in adulthood. Scoping Review.

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE To examine and map the consequences of chronic pain in adulthood.METHOD Documents addressing the impact of chronic pain on the psychological and social spheres of people suffering from chronic pain, published in Spanish and English between 2013 and 2018, were included. Those who addressed pharmacological treatments, chronic pain resulting from surgical interventions or who did not have access to the full text were excluded. Finally, 28 documents from the 485 reviewed were includedRESULTS Studies show that pain is related to high rates of limitation in daily activities, sleep disorders and anxiety-depression spectrum disorders. People in pain have more problems to get the workday done and to maintain social relationships. Chronic pain is also associated with worse family functioning.CONCLUSIONS This review shows that limitations in the ability to perform activities of daily living, sleep, psychological health, social and work resources and family functioning are lines of interest in published articles. However, knowledge gaps are detected in areas such as the influence of having suffered pain in childhood or adolescence, the consequences of non-fulfillment of working hours and gender inequalities.

Diagnosis of anxiety-depression disorders in patients with laryngeal granuloma

Objectives - to determine the variants of psychiatric disorders in patients with laryngeal granuloma using the affectivity-stress model, based on the complex psychopathological and clinical-psychological diagnostics of anxiety-depression disorders (ADD). Material and methods. We examined 80 patients, aged from 33 to 65 years. Postintubation granuloma was diagnosed in 7 patients. GERD was diagnosed in 56 patients. 49 patients had a relapse granulomas after surgery. Results and Conclusion. The correlation of laryngeal granuloma with the disorders of the anxiety-depression spectrum (ADD) was established. In most patients, the development of granuloma occurred with underlying psychiatric disorder. The role of anxiety in the structure of ADDs and the significance of their diagnosis for the choice of therapeutic tactics is proved. It is necessary to examine the patients with laryngeal granuloma for the presence of ADDs, and to consult a psychiatrist to determine an individual therapeutic tactics.

Understanding biofeedback and its use in psychiatry

Biofeedback is a technique which demonstrates the mind–body connection. It is training through which patients learn to exert voluntary control on involuntary body processes. Biofeedback can be helpful in the management of a wide variety of medical and psychiatric disorders. Among these are the anxiety-depression spectrum, psychosomatic disorders, chronic pain syndromes, as well as sleep disorders. Biofeedback is a good choice as main treatment and adjunct treatment in indicated disorders, if the patient prefers or when other treatment modalities are unsuccessful or contraindicated. The management of somatoform disorders is often a challenging task. Pharmacotherapy may not be effective or suitable in certain patients or situations, requiring different modes of interventions. In such cases, biofeedback can be effectively used. We, in this article, will review relevant research on the efficacy, mechanism of action, biofeedback training, planning of sessions, and clinical recommendations.

Correlation between Substance Use and Anxiety-Depression Spectrum among Senior High School Students in Bandung

Background: Both substance use and anxiety-depression spectrum are the problem that currently faced by adolescents especially among Senior High School students. Moreover, there is a high comorbidity between both problems. This study was conducted to discover the substance use’s prevalence and to find out anxiety-depression spectrum proportion among adolescent, and more importantly to determine whether there is correlation between both variables. Methods: During October–November 2013, four hundred and fifty two students from five Senior High Schools located in Karees Sub-District, Bandung were included in this cross-sectional analytic study. Among whom, only 425 students filled the questionnaire properly. Data were collected using Kessler-10 (K10) to explore anxiety-depression spectrum and addiction severity index lite version (ASI-Lite) to identify substance use. The correlation between both variables was analyzed by Gamma correlation test. Results : The study revealed that there were 93 (21.9%) students that used substance. In addition, there were 244 students (57.4%) that screened as having anxiety-depression spectrum. Statistical analysis, according to Gamma correlation test, showed that there was a weak correlation between alcohol use and anxiety-depression spectrum (p=0.041; r=0.316). The remaining substances gave no statistically significant result (p>0.05). Conclusions : There is a high prevalence in substance use and psychological distress in anxiety-depression spectrum among high school student. In addition, alcohol is the only substances that correlated with anxiety-depression spectrum. [AMJ.2016;3(4):583–9] DOI: 10.15850/amj.v3n4.943

Reliability and validity of the Symptoms of Depression Questionnaire (SDQ).

Current measures for major depressive disorder focus primarily on the assessment of depressive symptoms, while often omitting other common features. However, the presence of comorbid features in the anxiety spectrum influences outcome and may effect treatment. More comprehensive measures of depression are needed that include the assessment of symptoms in the anxiety-depression spectrum. This study examines the reliability and validity of the Symptoms of Depression Questionnaire (SDQ), which assesses irritability, anger attacks, and anxiety symptoms together with the commonly considered symptoms of depression. Analysis of the factor structure of the SDQ identified 5 subscales, including one in the anxiety-depression spectrum, with adequate internal consistency and concurrent validity. The SDQ may be a valuable new tool to better characterize depression and identify and administer more targeted interventions.

Use of Addenbrooke’s cognitive examination-revised to evaluate the patients’ state in general medical practice

The differential diagnosis of cognitive impairments is of great importance in mental disorders detectable in general medical practice. Objective: to study whether Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination — Revised (ACE-R) may be used in these patients. Patients and methods. The study was conducted in two steps at somatic hospitals and city polyclinics. It enrolled 130patients (36 men and 94 women) with anxiety-depression spectrum disorders (ADSD), mild cognitive disorders (MCD) and a concurrence of these conditions. The authors used the following psychometric scales: the hospital anxiety and depression scale; the mini-mental state examination; the frontal assessment battery; ACE-R; ten words learning test. The psychometric characteristics of ACE-R and the possibilities of its use were estimated to detect MCD. The differences in the spectrum of cognitive impairments were analyzed in patients with different types of ADSD. Results. ACE-R is shown to be an effective neuropsychological tool for the primary diagnosis, detection, and evaluation of MCD in the general medical network. The results of ACE-R use indicate that the spectrum of cognitive impairments has substantial differences in patients with different types of non-psychotic disorders.

The Kava Anxiety Depression Spectrum Study (KADSS): A randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial using an aqueous extract of Piper methysticum

Rationale: Piper methysticum (Kava) has been withdrawn in European, British, and Canadian markets due to concerns over hepatotoxic reactions. The WHO recently recommended research into “aqueous” extracts of Kava. Objective: The objective of this study was to conduct the first documented human clinical trial assessing the anxiolytic and antidepressant efficacy of an aqueous extract of Kava. Design and participants: The Kava Anxiety Depression Spectrum Study was a 3-week placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover trial that recruited 60 adult participants with 1 month or more of elevated generalized anxiety. Five Kava tablets per day were prescribed containing 250 mg of kavalactones/day. Results: The aqueous extract of Kava reduced participants' Hamilton Anxiety Scale score in the first controlled phase by −9.9 (CI = 7.1, 12.7) vs. −0.8 (CI = −2.7, 4.3) for placebo and in the second controlled phase by −10.3 (CI = 5.8, 14.7) vs. +3.3 (CI = −6.8, 0.2). The pooled effect of Kava vs. placebo across phases was highly significant (p < 0.0001), with a substantial effect size (d = 2.24, η² [sub]p[sub] = 0.428). Pooled analyses also revealed highly significant relative reductions in Beck Anxiety Inventory and Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale scores. The aqueous extract was found to be safe, with no serious adverse effects and no clinical hepatotoxicity. Conclusions: The aqueous Kava preparation produced significant anxiolytic and antidepressant activity and raised no safety concerns at the dose and duration studied. Kava appears equally effective in cases where anxiety is accompanied by depression. This should encourage further study and consideration of globally reintroducing aqueous rootstock extracts of Kava for the management of anxiety.

The Kava Anxiety Depression Spectrum Study (KADSS): a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial using an aqueous extract of Piper methysticum

Piper methysticum (Kava) has been withdrawn in European, British, and Canadian markets due to concerns over hepatotoxic reactions. The WHO recently recommended research into "aqueous" extracts of Kava. The objective of this study was to conduct the first documented human clinical trial assessing the anxiolytic and antidepressant efficacy of an aqueous extract of Kava. The Kava Anxiety Depression Spectrum Study was a 3-week placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover trial that recruited 60 adult participants with 1 month or more of elevated generalized anxiety. Five Kava tablets per day were prescribed containing 250 mg of kavalactones/day. The aqueous extract of Kava reduced participants' Hamilton Anxiety Scale score in the first controlled phase by -9.9 (CI = 7.1, 12.7) vs. -0.8 (CI = -2.7, 4.3) for placebo and in the second controlled phase by -10.3 (CI = 5.8, 14.7) vs. +3.3 (CI = -6.8, 0.2). The pooled effect of Kava vs. placebo across phases was highly significant (p < 0.0001), with a substantial effect size (d = 2.24, eta(2)(p)). Pooled analyses also revealed highly significant relative reductions in Beck Anxiety Inventory and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale scores. The aqueous extract was found to be safe, with no serious adverse effects and no clinical hepatotoxicity. The aqueous Kava preparation produced significant anxiolytic and antidepressant activity and raised no safety concerns at the dose and duration studied. Kava appears equally effective in cases where anxiety is accompanied by depression. This should encourage further study and consideration of globally reintroducing aqueous rootstock extracts of Kava for the management of anxiety.

Kava Anxiety Depression Spectrum Study (KADSS): A mixed methods RCT using an aqueous extract of Piper methysticum

To report on the design, significance and potential impacts of the first documented human clinical trial assessing the anxiolytic and thymoleptic efficacy of an aqueous mono-extract of Piper methysticum (kava). The significance of the qualitative element of our clinical trial is also explored. The Kava Anxiety Depression Spectrum Study (KADSS) is a 3-week placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over trial involving 60 adult participants (18-65) with elevated stable anxiety and varying levels of depressive symptoms. The aims of KADSS are: (1) to determine whether an aqueous standardised extract of kava is effective for the treatment of anxiety; (2) to assess the effects of kava on differing levels of depression; and (3) to explore participants' experience of taking kava via qualitative research. The study also provides preliminary assessment of the safety of an aqueous extract of kava in humans. If results reveal that the aqueous kava preparation exerts significant anxiolytic effects and appears safe, potentially beneficial impacts may occur. Data supporting a safe and effective kava extract may encourage a re-introduction of kava to Europe, UK and Canada. This may provide a major socioeconomic benefit to Pacific Island nations, and to sufferers of anxiety disorders.

Frontal and limbic metabolic differences in subjects selected according to genetic variation of the SLC6A4 gene polymorphism

Allelic variants in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene have been implicated in several psychiatric disorders and personality traits. In particular, two common alleles in a variable repeat sequence of the promoter region (SLC6A4) have been differentially associated with a display of abnormal levels of anxiety and affective illness in individuals carrying the “s” allele. The aim of this study was to compare the basal cerebral metabolic activity of non-psychiatric subjects in fronto–limbic structures to determine whether differences exist in basal metabolic activity within this functional polymorphism. PET scans with fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose as radiotracer were performed in 71 non-psychiatric subjects previously screened for psychopathology and subsequently genotyped for SLC6A4; PET images were compared with SPM2 according to s/s ( n = 27), s/l ( n = 25), and l/l ( n = 19) groups considering a significance threshold in a priori selected areas of P < 0.001 and an extent threshold ≥5 voxels. The analysis showed an effect of interest among the three genotype groups in right anterior cingulate gyrus (ACC), left middle frontal gyrus, and left posterior cingulate gyrus (PCC). Comparison between l/l vs. s/s showed increased metabolism for l/l in left middle frontal gyrus and an increase for s/s in right ACC and left PCC. Comparison between s/s vs. s/l showed an increase for s/s in left PCC and right ACC. Increased basal metabolism in fronto–limbic structures for the s/s group may be conceived as an “overactive metabolic state” of these structures, possibly related to an increased susceptibility for developing an anxiety–depression spectrum disorder.