Presence Of Anxiety Disorder Research Articles

Psychopathological symptoms in fibromyalgia and their associations with resistance to pharmacotherapy with SNRI.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is often comorbid with psychiatric disorders. Moreover, several studies show that psychiatric disorders may be linked to the severity and impact of FM. Therefore, the study described in the article had two main goals: (1) to explore various psychopathological symptom dimensions in patients with fibromyalgia and secondly, (2) to examine the links between psychopathology and response to treatment with serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI). This cross-sectional study was performed between December 2020 and November 2022. The definition of resistance to SNRI was <30% reduction of pain after ≥8 weeks of treatment. 30 FM subjects responsive to SNRI (FM T[+]), 32 patients non-responsive to SNRI (FM T[-]) and 30 healthy controls were enrolled. Participants were examined by physicians and completed self-report tools to evaluate levels of depression (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), anxiety (State and Trait Anxiety Inventory), anhedonia (Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale), bipolar symptoms (Mood Disorder Questionnaire, Hypomania Checklist), and dissociation (Dissociative Experiences Scale - Revised). ANOVA analysis and a series of simple logistic regressions were used to examine the associations between psychopathological variables and response to SNRI. FM T[-] vs. FM T[+] showed higher levels of: depression, state and trait anxiety and anhedonia as well as higher proportion of scores indicating the presence of anxiety disorder. Increased severity of depression, anxiety and anhedonia were predictors of resistance to SNRI. Modifiable psychopathological symptoms vary in FM T[+] vs. FM T[-] and are predictors of resistance to SNRI. Psychological assessment should be integrated into standard care for FM patients.

The comorbidity of anxiety-related disorders and insomnia: An analysis of mechanisms

Anxiety is a common epidemiological mental disorder that includes Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), panic disorders (PD), and phobias; its causes include anxiogenic genes and the living environment; insufficient or low sleep quality can trigger and intensify anxiety disorders. Neurotransmitters play an essential role in operating our bodys crucial functions, such as emotional regulation and sleep, so much neuroimaging evidence suggests they are critical to forming anxiety and insomnia. Previous longitudinal studies suggest that insomnia is a significant index and predictor of mental health and, therefore, can also be generated from mental disorders due to their comorbidity. This short review will posit the formation of insomnia caused by the presence of anxiety disorders in patients with both insomnia and anxiety symptoms. This review further discusses some therapies that enhance and improve sleep quality among insomnia problems. It mostly debates the thesis that anxiety is the driving factor and precedes insomnia and its related neuropathological developments that can be highlighted from neurotransmitter systems and sleeping models such as the hyperarousal model. Overall, it is significant that individuals with anxiety-related disorders have lower sleeping qualities that cause functional impairment and lower subjective living qualities.

Longitudinal associations between psychiatric comorbidity and the severity of gambling disorder: Results from a 36-month follow-up study of clients in Bavarian outpatient addiction care.

Individuals with gambling disorder (GD) often suffer from psychiatric comorbidities. Previous studies demonstrated greater severity of GD among gamblers with psychiatric comorbidities. However, evidence on the association between psychiatric comorbidity and course of GD severity during and after outpatient treatment is sparse. This study analyses data from a longitudinal one-armed cohort study on outpatient addiction care clients over three years. We investigated the course of GD severity using data from 123 clients in 28 outpatient addiction care facilities in Bavaria using generalized estimation equations (GEE). We applied time* interaction analyses to examine different development profiles in participants with and without (1) affective disorders, or (2) anxiety disorders, and (3) to account for the co-occurrence of both. All participants benefitted from outpatient gambling treatment. Improvement in GD severity was poorer in participants with anxiety disorders compared to participants without anxiety disorders. The co-occurrence of affective and anxiety disorders was linked to a less favourable course of GD than the presence of affective disorders alone. However, the combined occurrence of both disorders was more favourable than the presence of anxiety disorders alone. Our study suggests that clients with GD, with and without psychiatric comorbidities, benefit from outpatient gambling care. Psychiatric comorbidity, especially comorbid anxiety disorders, seems to be negatively associated with the course of GD within outpatient gambling care. Addressing psychiatric comorbidity within the treatment of GD and offering individualised help are required to meet the needs of this clientele.

Neurocognitive function and associations with mental health in adults born preterm with very low birthweight or small for gestational age at term.

To assess neurocognitive function in adults born with low birthweight compared with controls and to explore associations between neurocognitive function and psychopathology in these groups. In this prospective cohort study, one group born preterm with very low birthweight (VLBW: birthweight <1,500 g, n = 53), one group born small for gestational age at term (SGA: birthweight <10th percentile, n = 63) and one term-born control group (birthweight ≥10th percentile, n = 81) were assessed with neurocognitive tests, diagnostic interviews, and self-report questionnaires at 26 years of age. The VLBW group scored significantly below the control group on several neurocognitive measures, including IQ measures, psychomotor speed, verbal fluency, aspects of visual learning and memory, attention, social cognition, working memory and fine motor speed. The SGA group consistently scored at an intermediate level between the VLBW and the control group and had significantly lower scores than controls on Performance IQ and psychomotor speed, including switching. In the VLBW group, associations were found between lower spatial working memory and the presence of anxiety disorders, internalizing and attention problems, and autistic traits. Furthermore, lower Full scale IQ was associated with attention problems when adjusting for sex and parental socioeconomic status. Adults born preterm with VLBW or born term SGA displayed neurocognitive difficulties. Spatial working memory was associated with difficulties with attention, anxiety, and social function of VLBW adults. The finding and its clinical applicability should be further explored.

Analysis of EEG and ECG in women with intimate partner violence experience during an emotional task

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) has been associated with cognitive, emotional, physical and physiological alterations, and with the presence of anxiety disorders. There is not enough research on this problem from an interdisciplinary approach despite the above. Therefore, this research compared the emotion perception and electrophysiological responses, elicited by an emotional task, in women who had experienced IPV and women who had not (WIPV). Forty-five participants (22 with and 23 without IPV experience) were presented with nine images from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) database and performed a self-report using the Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM). In parallel, electrophysiological signals (ECG and EEG) were acquired, for the analysis of emotional response. In the between-group analysis, the IPV group showed lower perceived dominance and greater central asymmetry in the alpha band than the WIPV group; additionally, the IPV group exhibited a significant positive correlation between the valence of the images and the alpha band power in central areas. In the within-group analysis, the WIPV group showed greater activation in the alpha band and alpha/beta ratio in frontal areas during the emotional elicitation, as compared to baseline. Furthermore, the ECG analysis showed that, for the IPV group, there was a decrease in the power of the high-frequency (HF) band and an increase in the power of the very-low-frequency (VLF) band of heart rate variability (HRV) during the elicitation stage. It is hypothesized that the IPV group could present higher stress levels and greater physiological activity during emotional stimuli than the WIPV group. Possible changes in emotional regulation and anxiety levels due to IPV experiences are discussed.

Screen Time and Mental Health in Canadian Youth: An Examination of Nationally Representative Data.

As screens have become ubiquitous in modern-day society, investigating the effects of high screen time on mental health is highly warranted. In the past decade, many studies have determined that higher levels of screen time engagement are associated with adverse mental health outcomes like anxiety and depression. However, the nature of the relationship between screen time and mental health requires further investigation to gain a better understanding of its mechanisms and properties. The purpose of this study is to utilize a nationally representative data set to (1) examine how factors like sex, age, and socioeconomic status moderate the relationship between screen time and mental health in Canadian youth and (2) determine whether this relationship supports the Goldilocks hypothesis or an exposure-response curve. It was hypothesized that (1) young, female, lower socioeconomic status individuals will be more strongly associated with poor mental health, and that (2) mental health will peak at low screen time usage, therefore, supporting an exposure-response curve. A series of moderation analyses concluded that young, male, lower socioeconomic status individuals strongly moderated the relationship between screen time and poor mental health compared to their counterparts. Furthermore, three out of the four mental health (presence of mood disorder, presence of anxiety disorder, and depression severity) measures peaked at an average of 12 hours and 19 minutes of screen time per week, hence, supporting the exposure-response curve.

Nonattendance in addiction mental health services: Patient and appointment factors

AbstractThis study examined patient and appointment factors as predictors of nonattendance in addiction mental health services. Data were collected from the electronic files of 7,641 patients treated for a substance use disorder in outpatient clinics of an addiction mental health organization in the Netherlands. Negative binomial regression analyses revealed that cocaine use, poly substance use, limitations in interpersonal functioning, presence of anxiety disorder and cluster C personality disorder, age, level of education, source of income, and planning consistency were associated with nonattendance.

EATING DISORDERS, SELF-MANAGEMENT, AND ANXIETY DISORDERS IN DIABETICS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Objective: This study aimed to determine the frequency of eating disorders and symptoms, anxiety and self-care management status, and factors that have an impact on eating disorders in diabetics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: This cross-sectional web-based study used a survey comprising a socio-demographic information form, the Bulimic Investigation Test of Edinburgh (BITE), Perceived Diabetes Self-Management Scale (PDSMS), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7). Independent samples t Test, Mann Whitney U Test, Chi Square Test, Pearson correlation analysis, and Simple Regression Analysis were applied to the variables. Results: Totally, 110 (52 Type 1, 58 Type 2) diabetics aged 18-65 participated in the study. BITE total score was determined as 20.92±7.99 (Min:8; Max:32). Eating disorder frequency was 29.1% while anxiety disorders frequency was 30.9%. Perceived Diabetes Self-Management Scale point is 24.80±3.85 (Min:8; Max:40). Married individuals and diabetics with anxiety disorder mostly had eating disorders (p&amp;lt;.005). There was no significant relationship between anxiety disorder, eating disorder and PDSMS scores of the participants and socio-demographics (p&amp;gt;.05). Anxiety was a significant predictor of eating disorders in diabetics (R=.45; R2 =.20; F (1.108)=28.61, p&amp;lt;.001). Conclusion: Eating disorder symptoms and severity of diabetics, and their coping styles with anxiety should be determined during the pandemic by diabetes care and specialist. Family eating habits and the presence of anxiety disorders should be taken into account to reduce eating disorders. People with diabetes can be emotionally and self-management empowered through online training and counseling.

Psychological Distress, Cognition, and Functional Disability Trajectory Profiles of Aging in Primary Care Older Adults

ABSTRACT Objectives To identify profiles of aging by combining psychological distress, cognition and functional disability, and their associated factors. Methods Data were drawn from the Étude sur la Santé des Aînés-Services study and included 1585 older adults. Sociodemographic, psychosocial, lifestyle and health factors were informed from structured interviews. Group-based multi-trajectory modeling and multinomial logistic regression were used to identify aging profiles and correlates. Sampling weights were applied to account for the sampling plan. Results The weighted sample size was 1591. Three trajectories were identified: a favorable (79.0%), intermediate (14.5%), and severe scenario (6.5%). Factors associated with the severe scenario were older age, male gender, lower education, the presence of anxiety disorders, low physical activity, and smoking. Membership in the intermediate scenario was associated with daily hassles, physical disorders, anxiety and depression, antidepressant/psychotherapy use, low physical activity, and no alcohol use. High social support was protective against less favorable profiles. Conclusions Symptoms of anxiety and depression and high burden of physical disorders were associated with less favorable trajectories. Modifiable lifestyle factors have a significant effect on healthy aging. Clinical implications Assessment and management of anxio-depressive symptoms are important in older adults. Clinical interventions including access to psychotherapy and promotion of healthier lifestyles should be considered.

Factor Structure and Convergent Validity of the Short Version of the Bielefeld Partnership Expectations Questionnaire in Patients With Anxiety Disorder and Healthy Controls.

The short version of the Bielefeld Partnership Expectations Questionnaire (BPEQ-12) assesses the partner-related attachment dimensions fear of rejection, readiness for self-disclosure, and conscious need for care. The presented study investigated the factor structure in two samples and evaluated the convergent validity of scales. The sample included N = 175 patients with panic disorder and/or agoraphobia and N = 143 healthy controls. Besides, the BPEQ, the Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire (ECR), and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) were assessed as well, and the Adult Attachment Prototype Rating (AAPR) was conducted. A confirmatory factor analysis of the three factor model (using a WLSMV estimator) revealed an acceptable model fit for the entire sample, patients and controls in terms of low RMSEA and SRMR (< 0.08) and high CFI and TLI (> 0.95). We found metric, scalar, and strict measurement invariance for the presence of anxiety disorder (ΔCFI ≤ –0.01 and ΔRMSEA ≥ 0.01). However, only for fear of rejection and readiness for self-disclosure the reliability was acceptable (Cronbach’s α > 0.7), and convergent validity in terms of large correlations (r > 0.7) with the ECR scales was found in both samples. The scale conscious need for care had a questionable reliability (Cronbach’s α > 0.6) and correlated only slightly with ECR-R scales. We conclude that fear of rejection and readiness for self-disclosure of the BPEQ-12 are reliable and valid scales for measuring partner-related attachment in healthy and clinical samples.

The magnitude and effect of work-life imbalance on cognition and affective range among the non-western population: A study from Muscat.

The temporal relationship between work-life balance/imbalance, occupational burnout, and poor mental health outcomes have been widely explored. Little has been forthcoming on cognitive functioning among those with work-life imbalance. This study aimed to explore the rate of work-life imbalance and the variation in neuropsychological functioning. The relationship between affective ranges (anxiety and depressive symptoms) and work-life balance was also explored. The target population in this study are Omani nationals who were referred for psychometric evaluation. The study employs neuropsychology measures tapping into attention and concentration, learning and remembering, processing speed, and executive functioning. Subjective measures of cognitive decline and affective ranges were also explored. A total of 168 subjects (75.3% of the responders) were considered to be at a work-life imbalance. Multivariate analysis showed that demographic and neuropsychological variables were significant risk factors for work-life imbalance including age and the presence of anxiety disorder. Furthermore, participants indicating work-life imbalance were more likely to report cognitive decline on indices of attention, concentration, learning, and remembering. This study reveals that individuals with work-life imbalance might dent the integrity of cognition including attention and concentration, learning and remembering, executive functioning, and endorsed case-ness for anxiety.

Indian Medical Students with Depression, Anxiety, and Suicidal Behavior: Why Do They Not Seek Treatment?

Background:Identification of barriers to mental healthcare seeking among medical students will help organize student mental health services in medical colleges across India. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of depression, anxiety disorders, and suicidal behavior among medical students and to identify the potential barriers to mental healthcare seeking among them.Methods:In this cross-sectional observational study, the medical students from a medical college in South India were asked to complete a structured pro forma for sociodemographic details, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7),and Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R). The barriers to mental healthcare seeking were assessed using the mental health subscale of Barriers to Healthcare Seeking Questionnaire for medical students. A cut-off of 15 was used for determining the presence of depression on PHQ-9. A cut-off of 10 on GAD-7 indicated the presence of anxiety disorder, and a cut-off of 7 on SBQ-R indicated suicidal risk.Results:Out of the 425 participants, 59 (13.9%) were found to have depression (moderately severe or severe) and 86 (20.2%) were found to have anxiety disorders (moderate or severe). A total of 126 (29.6%) students were found to have a suicidal risk. Preference for informal consultations, concerns about confidentiality, and preference for self-diagnosis were the most commonly reported barriers to mental healthcare seeking. Students with psychiatric disorders perceived more barriers to mental healthcare seeking than students without psychiatric disorders.Conclusions:One-fourth of the medical students were detected to have depression and/or anxiety disorders. Establishing student mental health services, taking into account the perceived barriers, will go a long way in improving medical students’ mental well-being.

Non-Targeted Self-Measurement of Blood Pressure: Association with Self-Medication, Unscheduled Emergency Visits and Anxiety.

Background and Objective: The routine practice of self-medication of blood pressure (BP) not oriented with pulse devices may not be precisely useful in the control of BP and can lead the patient to self-medicate in error. Thus, we need to evaluate the non-oriented self-assessment of BP in real-life circumstances in hypertensive patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate in hypertensive patients the association of BP self-measurement with its control, as well as the presence of anxiety disorders, the occurrence of unscheduled visits to the emergency room, and self-medication. Materials and Methods: An observational study was carried out with 1000 hypertensive volunteers (age: 61.0 ± 12.5). Using a questionnaire, sociodemographic and clinical data on BP control were collected. Anxiety was assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results: The group that performed non-oriented self-measurement of BP, showed that they had higher frequencies of self-medication (57.9%, p < 0.05) and more unscheduled visits to the emergency room (68%, p < 0.05). In addition, a lower level of BP control (46.8%, p < 0.05) was associated with higher levels of anxiety (52.3%, p < 0.05) in the group that performed non-oriented self-measurements of BP. Conclusion: The practice of non-oriented self-assessment of BP was associated with negative factors such as high levels of anxiety and higher frequencies of self-medication and unscheduled emergency visits.

ANOPAR – Autoaferição não orientada da pressão arterial: estudo metodológico

We describe the methodology of the MBPPG study in hypertensive patients as well as the association of blood pressure self-measurement (BP) with its control, the presence of anxiety disorders, unplanned visits to urgency and self-medication. This is a cross-sectional observational analytical study in which it is intended to evaluate 1000 volunteers with systemic arterial hypertension followed up on an outpatient basis in public and private hospitals located in Aracaju-Sergipe, Brazil. Data collection will be conducted applying a specific questionnaire for the research; BP control through Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) or an average of measurements in the last three consultations; the self-assessment of anxiety through the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the determination of quality of life through the SF-36. In the statistical analysis, tests will be used for the hypothesis of independence between categorical variables, equality of means, logistic regression, effect sizes Cohen’s D and h, and a significance level of 5%. The results analysis intends to produce information about the impact of the self-measurement of blood pressure, not oriented, of the hypertensive population. With this, it is expected to provide public managers with information that will support more efficient health policies in relation to the practice of self-assessment performed by hypertensive patients.

Fear of childbirth during pregnancy: associations with observed mother-infant interactions and perceived bonding

Fear of childbirth (FOC) is a common phenomenon that can impair functioning in pregnancy but potential longer term implications for the mother-infant relationship are little understood. This study was aimed at investigating postpartum implications of FOC on the mother-infant relationship. A UK sample of 341 women in a community setting provided data on anxiety, mood and FOC in mid-pregnancy and subsequently completed self-report measures of postnatal bonding in a longitudinal cohort study. Postnatal observations of mother-infant interactions were collected and rated for a subset of 141 women. FOC was associated with maternal perception of impaired bonding, even after controlling for sociodemographic factors, concurrent depression and the presence of anxiety disorders (Coef = 0.10, 95% CI 0.07–0.14, p < 0.001). Observed mother-infant interactions were not associated with FOC (Coef = -0.01-0.03 CI − 0.02 to 0.02, p = 0.46), weakly with concurrent depression (Coef = − 0.10, CI − 0.19 to 0.00, p = 0.06) and not associated with anxiety disorders. The self-efficacy component of FOC was most strongly associated with lower reported bonding (Coef 0.37, 95% CI 0.25–0.49, p < 0.001) FOC makes a distinct contribution to perceived postpartum bonding difficulties but observed mother-infant interaction quality was not affected. This may be due to low self-efficacy impacting psychological adjustment during pregnancy. Targeted interventions during pregnancy focusing both on treatment of key childbirth fears and bonding could help women adjust earlier.

Preventing the Onset of Anxiety Disorders in Offspring of Anxious Parents: A Six-Year Follow-up.

This study examined the effects of a family-based intervention Coping and Promoting Strength (CAPS) relative to a control condition, information-monitoring (IM), to prevent the onset of anxiety disorders in offspring of anxious parents sixyears after their initial assessment. One hundred thirty six families participated in the original randomized trial; 113 (83%) completed the one time follow-up assessment. Presence of anxiety disorders and severity of symptoms in offspring were assessed by masked evaluators using the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule; parents and offspring also completed questionnaires assessing offspring anxiety. Using the intentionto treat sample from the original trial, Cox regression models showed significant intervention main effects in the rate of onset of anxiety disorders from baseline to follow-up (anxiety disorder: hazard ratio (HR) = 2.55, 95% CI: 1.54, 4.21) but growth curves suggest effects occurred within the first year after program completion. No group differences were found in the cumulative incidence of anxiety disorders at the six-year follow-up. Additional intervention appears needed to maintain the initial positive effects long-term to reduce the risk for downstream disability.Clinical Trials Registration: NCT00847561.

Seizure control and anxiety: Which factor plays a major role in social adjustment in patients with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy?

PurposeThis study aimed to determine the presence of anxiety disorder and severity of anxiety symptoms in an extensive series of consecutive patients with JME and its association with epilepsy-related factors. In addition, we evaluated the impact of anxiety and clinical variables on social adjustment. MethodsWe prospectively evaluated 112 (56.2 % females, mean age 27.2 years) patients with an electroclinical diagnosis of JME and 61 (52.4 % females, mean age 29.3 years) healthy controls. Anxiety symptoms were assessed by the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Social functioning was addressed with Self-Report Social Adjustment Scale (SAS). The patient group was also evaluated with a psychiatric interview. ResultsPatients with JME presented more severe anxiety symptoms and worse social adjustment compared with controls. The presence of anxiety disorder and the severity of anxiety symptoms was associated with frequent seizures - generalized tonic-clonic seizures (p = 0.008) and drug-resistant epilepsy (p = 0.021). Regarding social adjustment, the severity of anxiety symptoms was associated with lower economic adjustment (p = 0.039), while the presence of anxiety disorder impacted family relationships (p 0.025). The presence of hard-to-control myoclonic seizure was associated with lower scores on work (p = 0.019), leisure activities (p = 0.008), family relationship (p = 0.022) and overall social adjustment (p = 0.038). ConclusionPatients with JME have severe anxiety symptoms and worse social adjustment. Anxiety disorder and symptoms were associated with frequent seizures and drug-resistant epilepsy. Epilepsy-related factors and anxiety impaired distinct aspects of social functioning.

Clinical Characteristics, Treatment Effectiveness, and Predictors of Response to Pharmacotherapeutic Interventions in Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Retrospective Analysis.

To identify the clinical characteristics of patients with primary and secondary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), to assess the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy in treating BMS, and to determine the clinical variables that may predict significant relief of clinical symptoms. A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent clinical management for BMS in the Massachusetts General Hospital between January 2011 and December 2016 was carried out. Information regarding demographics, diagnostics, and therapeutic characteristics was extracted and analyzed. Of 112 BMS patients, 77 had primary BMS. Patients with primary and secondary BMS had similar clinical characteristics except when it came to the presence of at least one symptom of sensory discrepancy, which was more prevalent in primary BMS. Following pharmacologic intervention, 46.8% of the patients with primary BMS experienced significant relief in symptoms, and this therapy was associated with a lower level of pain, an onset of symptoms of less than 1 year, hyperlipidemia, absence of depression disorder, and nonconcurrent use of other neuropathic medications. In contrast, only 31.4% of patients with secondary BMS experienced significant relief in symptoms, and this was associated with the presence of anxiety disorder. Stepwise forward conditional logistic regression analysis suggested that nonconcurrent use of neuropathic medications was a predictor for significant relief of symptoms in patients with primary BMS. Likewise, the model suggested that presence of anxiety disorder was a predictor in patients with secondary BMS. The prevalence of an associated sensory discrepancy was higher in primary BMS. Pharmacologic intervention provided significant relief for approximately half of the patients with primary BMS and nearly one-third of the patients with secondary BMS. Concurrent use of neuropathic medications was a negative predictor, and presence of anxiety disorder a positive predictor, of therapeutic response among patients with primary BMS and secondary BMS, respectively.

Prevention of self-harm and suicide in adolescents

Adolescence is a transitional stage in physical and psychological development, and in this stage multiple physical, emotional and social changes, can make adolescents vulnerable to mental health problems like self-harm and suicide. Self-harm and suicide are serious problems in children, adolescents and young people with the highest rates seen in those aged 16-24 years, and self-harm is highly correlated with the presence of anxiety disorders and depression.

Association between anxiety and sociodemographic characteristics among medical students in Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Saudi Arabia

Background: Anxiety is a common medical issue in Saudi Arabia, particularly among medical students. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the association between anxiety and sociodemographic characteristics among medical students in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 350 questionnaires were distributed among medical students to investigate the presence of anxiety disorders among them and the associated demographic factors. The study included medical students of different education years at the Faculty of Medicine, Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University. A questionnaire formed of 35 questions was distributed electronically among the students by the help of the leader of each educational year. The level of anxiety of each student was determined according to the score of questionnaire answers and the Beck Anxiety Inventory; where the score of 0–21 = no or low anxiety, score of 22–35 = moderate anxiety, score of 36 and above = severe or potentially concerning levels of anxiety. Results: Three hundred and sixteen medical students completed the questionnaire with a response rate 90%. Anxiety was identified in 201/316 (63.6%) students; 98/201 (48.7%) students were with moderate anxiety, and 103/201 (51.3%) with severe anxiety. Out of the 236 males, 136/236 (57.6%) were found to have anxiety, whereas, of the 80 females, 65/80 (81.3%) were found to have anxiety. About 51.3% of the females were found to have severe anxiety compared to only 26.3% of the males. Conclusion: Anxiety is a common problem among medical students of Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Saudi Arabia with more prevalence among female medical students compared to males. Furthermore, there was a significant association between satisfaction to study medicine and decreased anxiety development. However, there was no significant association between anxiety and the other studied sociodemographic factors.