Anxiety Stress Research Articles

The Effect of COVID-19 on Anxiety, Depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Psychosocial Determinants

The study anonymously screened patients with anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) associated with the novel viral pneumonia (COVID-19) pandemic from June 2020 to July 2020. Effective respondents came from 12 countries and five WHO response areas. Psychosocial factors including gender, personality, family support, and exercise are analyzed. Female, and who has mental disorder history is considered a significant risk factor for anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Conversely, people with the personality of optimistic, close family relationships and daily exercise are considered to have fewer psychological symptoms when coping with COVID-19, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These results may help to optimize mental health services during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, taking into account various psychosocial factors such as gender, personality, family support, and exercise.

Stress of life events and anxiety as mediators of the association between insomnia and triglycerides in college students

Purpose This study examined interrelationships among insomnia, stress, anxiety, and metabolic risk factors. Methods: A total of 124 college students were included in the analysis (age = 21 ± 1 years). Insomnia, stress of life events, and anxiety were assessed using self-reported questionnaires. Fasting blood samples were assayed for glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol). Results: Insomnia was positively associated with stress of life events (β = 0.28, p < .001) and anxiety (β = 0.46, p < .001). Insomnia was related to elevated fasting insulin (β = 0.12, p = .04) and triglyceride level (β = 1.85, p < .001). An inverse association was found between insomnia and HDL-cholesterol (β = −0.45, p = .03). Sobel's test for mediation showed that stress of life events (p = .020) and anxiety (p = .013) mediated the relationship between insomnia and hypertriglyceridemia. Conclusions: Reducing stress and anxiety among college students with insomnia may influence subsequent cardiovascular health.

Feasibility of a Behavioral Intervention to Reduce Psychological Distress in Mechanically Ventilated Patients

ABSTRACT Many survivors of acute respiratory failure suffer from mood disorders following discharge from the hospital. We investigated the feasibility of intensivists delivering psychological support based on positive suggestion (PSBPS) to 20 intubated patients to reduce their psychological distress. Thirteen patients completed follow-up surveys. Of those, 9 remembered the intensive care unit physician talking to them, and 7 described it as comforting. Five patients (38%) met criteria for anxiety, depression, and acute stress. In comparison to historical controls, intervention may be associated with lower estimated odds of anxiety. PSBPS can be performed with patients in parallel with medical treatment to potentially reduce psychological morbidity and to humanize critical care. A larger randomized study is warranted to assess the efficacy of PSBPS.

Prevalência da Sintomatologia Músculo-Esquelética nos Estudantes de Licenciatura em Enfermagem: uma Revisão Sistemática da Literatura

Background Musculoskeletal symptoms affect many individuals regardless of gender, age and socioeconomic context. Early in their clinical training, nursing students experience working conditions similar to nurses, and are also exposed to the same situations and risks that can trigger musculoskeletal symptomatology. Objective To identify the prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal symptomatology in undergraduate nursing students. Materials and Methods A systematic literature review was performed in the following platforms: EBSCOHost®, CINAHL, MEDLINE and BVS, from January to March 2019. The descriptors used were: Students, Nursing AND Musculoskeletal diseases OR Musculoskeletal disorders AND Prevalence). Results and Discussion Nine articles that met the established criteria were selected. The most frequently self-reported symptomatology was in the cervical and neck region followed by the lumbar and dorsal region, wrist, shoulders and hands. All articles underlined the fact that students report musculoskeletal symptoms in at least one of the body regions. Factors that contributed more often to this were repetitive efforts, manual handling tasks, gender, older age, anxiety and academic stress accumulated since the 1st year. Most studies suggested that nursing students are exposed to the same risks identified by nursing professionals. Conclusions This study shows that the prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal symptomatology identified in nursing students must be minimized and prevented from the 1st year of the course. We need to provide students with the knowledge and strategies to tackle this problem and the repercussion it may have on their professional life and well-being. We only be able to cope with this situation by having the contribution of several public health agents. Therefore, it is suggested to use occupational health strategies such as promoting physical exercise, health screening, managing anxiety and stress and improving classroom conditions, in order to contribute to both mental and physical well-being of nursing students and, in the future, professional nurses.

The Correlation of Anxiety, Dyslipidemia and Oxidative stress in Prehypertensive and Hypertensive patients

Studies have evaluated that high blood pressure kills nine million people annually Persistent. Psychological factors can be considered as a primary threat to the increase of hypertension. It may lead to cardiovascular disease, stroke and kidney disease. The current work was conducted to analyze the disparity of anxiety, dyslipidemia and oxidative stress in pre-hypertensive and hypertensive subjects. This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 180 subjects. Based on the Joint National Committee 8 Criteria, participants were divided into hypertensive patients (n₌60) and pre-hypertensive patients (n₌63). Fifty-seven healthy subjects with normal blood pressure were served as the control group. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were measured using the standard procedure. The biochemical parameters for measuring oxidative stress, blood glucose levels, and lipid profile were estimated. Anxiety level was assessed with the State-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) questionnaire. It is observed that the serum MalonDiAldehyde (MDA) levels (nmol/ml) were significantly higher in pre-hypertensive (3.74±0.33) and hypertensive (4.7±0.38) compared to normotensive subjects (3.05±0.38). The Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity (U/ml) was higher in subjects with normal blood pressure (12.67±2.31) than pre-hypertensive (11.16±2.43) and hypertensive subjects (8.98±2.32). The MDA had a significant positive correlation, and SOD had a negative association with waist-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, high-density lipoprotein, and state and trait anxiety. The present study confirmed that pre-hypertensive and hypertensive subjects suffered from more oxidative stress than normotensive subjects.

Anxiety, Depression, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorders in Critically Ill Patients

The stresses that often occur in the intensive care units (ICUs) affect critically ill patients physically and psychologically. The common psychological disorders associated with these stresses are anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSDs), which may last for several weeks, months, or even years. The anxiety levels of critically ill patients have been found to be significantly related to the use of inotropes or vasopressors, while depression has been associated with gender, days of hospitalization, use of mechanical ventilation and sedation, as well as preexisting depression. The evidence also proved that age, gender, and severity of illness are related to the development of post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSDs). To help patients' anxiety and depression, the healthcare providers should provide a safe and comfortable environment and possess reliable professional abilities for patients. More importantly, the continuity of nursing care is related to the promotion of patients' feelings of safety and the adaptation enhancement. Encouraging the presence of significant others, increasing comfort levels, and using ICU diaries in filling memory gaps, are all proved to be beneficial for the symptom relief of patients suffering PTSD. Another issue that healthcare providers should focus on is reducing the psychological distress perceived by caregivers. Providing adequate information in satisfying caregivers' need for information, enhancing their sense of control, and helping them use active coping strategies, may alleviate caregiver-perceived stresses and burdens.

How Legal Drugs Affect the Society? Empirical Evidence from Thailand

Drugs are defined as a medicine, which adversely affect the physical and mental health of individuals. Nowadays, people can easily get addicted of drugs. Legal drugs, including alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, and smoking are commonly used drugs among individuals, which postpones the nervousness, anxiety and social stress from the individuals by providing them a temporary satisfaction. But the extensive use of these drugs has adverse effects on society. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to investigate the impact of legal drugs i.e., alcohol, smoking, nicotine, and caffeine on the society. For this purpose, the study gathered the data from 235 respondents through an online survey method. The study applied measurement model for testing the reliability and validity of data. Study used structural equational modeling (SEM) for the empirical estimation of results. Significance of the path coefficients are tested through bootstrapping. Results of the study shows the negative impact of alcohol, smoking, nicotine, and caffeine on the society. The study suggests that government should introduce the health literacy programs for the awareness of adverse effects of legal drugs.

A Simple Yet Multifaceted Enzyme

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are involved in many physiological and pathological .events in organisms all over the phylogenetic tree. Over the last three decades I was involved in unravelling the biochemical basic phenomena connected to these enzymes and in drug design of modulators of their activity (inhibitors and activators). The various approaches I developed were applied to many types of such enzymes and allowed the discovery of many classes of highly isoform-selective inhibitors. This afforded new applications of the inhibitors for the management of hypoxic tumors, neuropathic pain, cerebral ischemia, arthritis, degenerative disorders apart the classical ones connected with these drugs (diuretics, antiglaucoma, antiepileptic and antiobesity action). The study of CA activators showed that these enzymes may represent a crucial family of new targets for improving cognition as well as in therapeutic areas, such as phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorders, for which few efficient therapies are available.

0541 Exploratory Study of Closed-Loop, Artificial Intelligence Driven Neurotechnology Improves Self-Reported Symptoms of Insomnia, Stress, and Anxiety in First Responders

Abstract Introduction First responders (FR) have decreased life expectancy, attributed to work-related exposure to traumatic stress and circadian disruption. In prior studies, High-resolution, relational, resonance-based, electroencephalic mirroring (HIRREM®) reduced symptoms and improved heart rate variability (HRV) in law enforcement personnel. HIRREM is operator dependent, difficult to scale, and many medications were excluded for prior studies. Cereset Research™ (CR) uses HIRREM core technology, echoing tones linked to brainwaves, with updated components, artificial intelligence (AI) driven protocols, and software management of designs to improve scalability. We report symptom changes in a series of first responders enrolled in an exploratory study evaluating CR for self-reported symptoms of insomnia, stress, or anxiety, including subjects taking previously excluded medications. Methods 11 adults (4 females) meeting criteria for insomnia (ISI, of ≥8 points for ≥1 month), stress (PSS of ≥14), or anxiety (GAD-7 of ≥5), who are also FR, enrolled in this ongoing exploratory trial. Subjects receive six to twelve 60 minute sessions of CR, plus continued current care. Data collection is at baseline (V1), 0-21 days post-intervention (V2), 4-7 weeks later (V3), and 4-7 weeks thereafter (V4). Primary outcome is change in autonomic cardiovascular regulation at V3, with change in ISI, PSS, GAD-7, CES-D, and PCL-C as secondary outcomes. We report interim results for symptom outcomes at V3. HRV and baroreflex sensitivity results are pending. Results 2 dropped out during follow-up. For n=9, median change from V1 to V3 ISI score: -6; PSS score: -4; GAD-7: -4; CES-D: -3; and PCL-C: -8. The cohort moved to no anxiety and low stress categories from V1 to V3. Conclusion Results suggest relevant symptom reductions among FR following use of CR, as seen previously with HIRREM for law enforcement, even with additional medications. This informs future randomized clinical trials using this scalable, non-drug intervention. Updated results will be presented. Support: Support Research grant received from, The Susanne Marcus Collins Foundation, Inc.

COVID-19: A stressor, need a pressor

Since the inception of humankind, the man has been witnessed fatal diseases that have taken a substantial toll on them. History records diseases like, Smallpox, Chicken pox, Ebola etc., that lived through populations like the proverbial scythe of old man time. These diseases killed millions of people throughout the globe. Likewise another dreadful viral illness known as COVID-19 has raised its head in November 2019 in China, which kills millions of people. As per sources, India has reported 33, 610 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,075 death cases. This increased number of cases has surely a big triggered impact on people and their well-being. This ailment is not only the fatal and painful but it carries with a hefty load of fear, anxiety stress and so on, which directly affects individual’s psychological well-being and quality of life. While keeping these things in mind the researcher’s pen down this research article, to highlight the psychological issues faced by the people due to this corona virus (COVID – 19) disease.

Factor Mixture Modeling of the Insomnia Severity Index among Psychology Clinic Outpatients

Insomnia symptoms are common among individuals with psychiatric disorders, and associated with increased symptom severity. However, the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) has rarely been psychometrically evaluated in a psychiatric sample. Furthermore, the latent structure of the ISI has not been evaluated using factor mixture modeling, which improves upon prior analytic techniques by integrating factor structure and including exogenous variables. Thus, the current study used factor mixture modeling to test the latent structure of the ISI among two samples of psychology clinic outpatients (Ns = 366 and 331). The ISI was best represented with a three-class structure representing “no or minimal,” “moderate,” and “severe” insomnia symptoms, with significantly escalating symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress across these classes. Clinical cut-scores for the “severe” class were also derived using receiver operating curve analyses. Implications for theoretical conceptualization of insomnia among those with psychiatric disorders and clinical implications are discussed.

Abstract 262: The Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Heart Failure Readmission in a Veteran Population: A Single Center Study

Background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) affects more than 5 million Americans and accounts for approximately 1 million hospitalizations annually. Readmission in CHF patients is associated with higher mortality and consumes a significant portion of hospital resources. Readmission rates may be higher when socioeconomic factors limit medication compliance and follow-up. In light of the high prevalence of CHF and the penalties associated with readmission rates, our study aims to identify factors that place our veterans with CHF at higher risk for readmission and in so doing, develop a profile for patients with a high risk of readmission that will benefit from focused intervention. Our goal is to use the information acquired in this study to reduce CHF readmission in the Miami VAMC by 10% over a 12-month period. Methods: This is an ongoing retrospective study conducted at the Miami VAMC. The Strategic Analysis for Improvement and Learning (SAIL) report was used to identify patients with CHF who were admitted to the Miami VAMC over fiscal year 2019 (FY19), the period from September 2018 to August 2019. Data was collected on various clinical baseline characteristics and social determinants of health from the patients' electronic health records for those admitted as well as for those with recurrent admissions within FY19. Using a previously validated questionnaire, identified patients will undergo further interview, in person or by phone, to identify social factors that may place them at higher risk for readmission. Results/Anticipated Results: A total of 185 patients were admitted during FY19 and of these, 38 had recurrent admissions. The mean time to readmission was 82 days. 76% of the patients readmitted had heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Multiple co-morbidities were seen in the readmitted group, the commonest being hypertension (82%), diabetes (63%) and chronic kidney disease (39%). Thirty percent of those readmitted had a history of illicit drug use compared to 26% of those who were not readmitted. This population was also found to have multiple psychiatric co-morbidities - depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. The odds of having one or more readmission within 12 months was 25% greater in those with psychiatric illness than in those without. Conclusion: Preliminary data analysis shows that psycho-social factors may play a role in recurrent admission in CHF patients. Further data will be collected to determine the impact of factors such as housing, education level and income on readmission risk so that patients at high risk can be identified and targeted with improved care co-ordination services to reduce this risk. As a unified health system, the VAMC is uniquely equipped with resources to address these disparities.

Abstract 229: Family Caregiver Stress and Patient Symptom Severity in Heart Failure

Background: In chronic illness caregiving, greater family caregiver exposure to patient symptoms is predictive of greater caregiver psychological and physiological stress. Although heart failure (HF) carries high symptom burden, this phenomena is not well-studied in HF caregivers. Objective: To test the hypothesis that caregiver perception of patient HF symptoms is associated with elevated caregiver psychological and physiological stress. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of baseline data from 125 HF caregivers in the Caregiver Opportunities for Optimizing Lifestyle (COOL) study. Psychological stress was measured by caregiver report of care-related strain (Oberst Caregiving Burden Scale), depression (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression), anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Index), and general stress (Perceived Stress Scale). Physiological stress was quantified by markers of HPA axis dysfunction (elevated cortisol awakening response [CAR]), endothelial dysfunction (increased PAI-1), and inflammation (increased IL-6, hsCRP). HF symptoms were quantified by caregiver assessment of New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class, dichotomized as asymptomatic [Class I] versus symptomatic [Class II-IV]. Generalized linear models were used to test relationships between symptoms and stress (one model per indicator). IL-6, hsCRP, and PAI-1 were natural log transformed, and CAR was dichotomized based on a cutoff for elevated stress response (&gt;75% increase). All models controlled for sociodemographic confounders (age, gender, race, education, caregiving relationship), with biomarker-specific confounders (comorbidity, adiposity, medications) added to physiological stress models. Results: Caregivers were mostly female (n=115, 92.0%), in their mid-fifties (55.4±11.5), African American (n=72, 57.6%), and the patient’s spouse (n=68, 54.4%) or adult child (n=30, 24.0%). One quarter perceived the patient to be asymptomatic (Class I: n=31, 24.8%; II: n=31, 24.8%; III: n=47, 37.6%; IV: n=15, 12.0%). Symptomatic HF was significantly associated with greater caregiver depression, anxiety, and general stress (β=4.0±1.9, p=0.04; β=3.9±1.4, p&lt;0.01; and β=7.7±2.9, p&lt;0.01, respectively), but not greater care-related strain (β=4.7±3.0, p=0.12). Symptomatic HF was also significantly associated with markers of HPA-axis dysfunction (elevated CAR: OR=3.1, 95% CI=1.0-9.7, p=0.05), endothelial dysfunction (PAI-1: β=0.39±0.16, p=0.01), and increased inflammation as measured by hsCRP (β=0.47±0.22, p=0.04), but not IL-6 (β=0.18±0.15, p=0.21). Conclusions: Overall, patient HF symptoms were associated with greater caregiver psychological and physiological stress. To inform timing and mechanisms for much-needed caregiver interventions, research is needed to determine which aspects of HF symptomatology are most stressful for caregivers across the HF trajectory.

Early Anxiety, Depressive, and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms Impact Cortical Thinning Trajectories Throughout Adolescence

Early Anxiety, Depressive, and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms Impact Cortical Thinning Trajectories Throughout Adolescence

The study of the influence of the state of the oral cavity on the psycho-emotional status of students of the Faculty of Dentistry «Privolzhsky Research Medical University» of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Aim. Is to evaluate the dental status of students studying at the Dental Faculty of FSBEI HE PRMU MOH of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation and to identify its effect on the psycho-emotional state.Materials and metods. The study involved 500 students of the Faculty of Dentistry FSBEI HE PRMU of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. All subjects, in accordance with the index of the OHI-S index, were divided into three groups depending on the index of cavity hygiene: the first group, the OHI-S index was less than 0.7 points (good level of oral hygiene) – group 1A-in it included 125 Russian students (50%), group 1B-95 of foreign students (38%); The 2nd group, the OHI-S indicator is from 0.8 to 1.6 points (a satisfactory level of oral hygiene) – group 2A – it includes 80 Russian students (32%), group 2B – it includes 65 foreign students (26%); Group 3: the OHI-S indicator is more than 1.7 points (unsatisfactory index of oral hygiene) – group 3A – it included 45 Russian students (18%), group 3B – it included 90 foreign students (36%). The prevalence and intensity of the carious process was evaluated using the DMF index, the oral hygiene was assessed using the OHI-S index according to J. Green, J. Vermillion, the periodontal tissue condition was assessed using the CPI index (complex periodontal index), and Kechka bleeding index. The following tests were used to assess the psychoemotional status: Spilberger-Hanin anxiety test, HAM test, suggestibility and stress tolerance test. To assess the results and conduct comparative characteristics, we used the analysis of variance, the Biostat program, and also the Microsoft Excel software product using the Student criterion.Results. The prevalence of dental caries is 98%. The average rate of tooth decay in Russian students was 5.8 ± 0.23, and in foreign students 7.6 ± 0.3. A study of the CPI index revealed with a satisfactory level of hygiene: mild periodontal tissue lesions in 28% of Russian students, 4% have a medium periodontal lesion, 18% of foreign students have a mild periodontal tissue lesion, 6% have an average periodontal lesion; with an unsatisfactory level of hygiene, 16% of Russian students have an average degree of periodontal damage and 2% have a severe periodontal disease, 32% of foreign students have an average periodontal disease and 4% have a severe periodontal disease. Analysis of the HAM test showed a decrease in the number of foreign students by the 5th year of study with a high level of well-being, for Russian students by the 5th year of study, the average level of well-being, activity and mood was characteristic. A low level was characteristic of 2nd year students of the Russian and foreign departments.Conclusions. A study of the psychoemotional state of students at a medical university revealed a high level of activity, well-being and mood among students of the Russian department and average rates among students of a foreign department, which is explained by low oral hygiene and high caries intensity, a change in climatic conditions and place of residence, a change in diet, emotional and physical overload.

Explicit recall related to mechanical ventilation: An evolutionary concept analysis

Mechanical ventilation combined with sedation is widely used in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, this intervention is not without consequence on the patient. ICU patients can, in fact, remember perceptions that occurred during their mechanical ventilation—a phenomenon known as explicit recall. This phenomenon is not well defined, and no common terminology exists in the medical and nursing literature, where a variety of concepts are used interchangeably to describe the same experience. The goal of this concept analysis was to address the conceptual vagueness that surrounds explicit recall. Using Rodgers’ evolutionary approach, a total of 68 articles were analyzed to identify the concept’s antecedents, attributes, and consequences. The findings revealed that the explicit recall concept is perceptive, interpretative, subjective, dynamic, and temporal. It occurs following treatment that requires general anesthesia or sedation. It is also shaped by the modalities of anesthesia and sedation, as well as individual characteristics. Consequences of explicit recall can include anxiety, flashbacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Child, Family, and School Behavioral Health Care in the Military Health System

Army family member health and resilience directly impact soldier readiness and are critical to maintaining a deployable force. Military families face unique stressors, including combat deployments, that can negatively impact child and family functioning. In 2014, the Army implemented the Child and Family Behavioral Health System (CAFBHS), one of 11 standardized behavioral health (BH) programs supporting soldiers and their families. CAFBHS is a comprehensive model of care consisting of five interrelated components that function in a synchronous manner: 1) BH providers located in CAFBHS clinics within Military Treatment Facilities supporting and collaborating with Patient-Centered Medical Homes; 2) School BH that embeds BH providers in on-post schools; 3) Community Outreach which organizes military and civilian resources to support soldiers and families; 4) Standardized evidence-based/informed training curricula for BH providers and primary care managers (PCMs) in treating common pediatric BH disorders; and 5) Regional-level Tele-behavioral Health Consultation in support of PCMs. Patient report of therapeutic alliance is high and outcomes for depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder for adult family members exceed Army standards. This paper describes the implementation of CAFBHS and provides lessons learned to successfully sustain and expand this integrated BH model of care across the military health care system.

Turning Back to Treatment: The Effect of Attendance and Symptom Outcomes on Subsequent Service Use.

This study explored whether post-treatment symptom severity moderated the association between session attendance during an initial treatment episode and subsequent mental health service use. Data on attendance, symptom severity, and service use were gathered from an effectiveness trial testing a modular treatment for youth anxiety, depression, disruptive behavior, and traumatic stress. Multilevel logistic regression analyses showed a significant interaction between attendance and post-treatment symptom severity on subsequent service use, such that attendance significantly predicted subsequent service use when post-treatment symptom severity was in the normal range. Implications regarding the influence of treatment engagement on future help-seeking are discussed.

External Correlates of the MMPI-2-Restructured Form across a National Sample of Veterans

This study examines the convergent validity of the substantive scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) in the Veteran Affairs (VA) population. The sample includes test protocols drawn from all administrations of the MMPI-2-RF or MMPI-2 entered into the electronic medical record system between January 1, 2008 and May 31, 2015 at any VA across the United States. After excluding invalid protocols, substantive scale scores were correlated with external measures of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder if they were administered within |14| days of the MMPI-2/-RF. Results supported the convergent validity of the MMPI-2-RF emotional dysfunction domain scores. Discriminant validity for the remaining MMPI-2-RF substantive scale scores was also adequate. Limitations and implications of these findings are discussed.

The Role of Anxiety Sensitivity in the Comorbidity of Anxiety Disorder and Depression

The role of anxiety sensitivity in the development and treatment of psychiatric disorders is an issue that should receive attention. In this study, it was aimed to examine the existence of cognitive concerns in patients diagnosed with Anxiety Disorder and comorbid Depression in the light of the literature. A total of 112 patients diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (n:50), Panic Disorder (n:50), Social Anxiety (n:9) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (n:3) upon referral to the psychiatry outpatient clinic were included in study. Because of their small numbers, the Social Anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder patients were excluded from the study. The patients involved in the study were divided into two groups. Those patients diagnosed with Anxiety Disorder without comorbid Depression generated one of the groups and those patients diagnosed with both Anxiety Disorder and Depression generated the other group. While the patients diagnosed with Panic Disorder were assessed by the Panic and Agoraphobia Scale in terms of the severity of the symptoms, the patients diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder were assessed by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 were applied to all patients. The patients diagnosed with both Anxiety Disorder and Depression had higher cognitive concerns than the other group, and further, a correlation between the severity of depression and cognitive concerns was observed. This correlation revealed the importance of especially the cognitive aspect of anxiety sensitivity in the development and treatment of depression comorbid with anxiety disorders.