MedWorm: Agoraphobia

H1N1 (Swine Flu): Healthy Paranoia, Panic or Propaganda?

Psychology Today Anxiety Center — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:28:43 +0100

Reports about the Swine Flu (H1N1 Flu) are constantly on TV, online in the newspapers...we can't escape the news if not the germs. If you feel overwhelmed and confused about the level of danger, you probably are not alone. It is difficult to distinguish the real deal from the hype: "To vaccinate or not to vaccinate," "Flu deaths on the rise," etc. Even the medical community seems somewhat unsure as to the best strategies for handling the threat of the pandemic. Many people are starting to act paranoid. Just today, I saw a face mask on the floor in the subway. Perhaps it's a healthy paranoia (pun intended) to stay away from the person who sneezed on the bus.Each individual has to make their own decision about how to react to the surrounding ecosystem. Regardless of the fact that the symptom...

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Online psychotherapy is effective

Psychology Today Depression Center — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:23:30 +0100

There has been a growing interest in Online Therapy using email, correspondence and live video conferencing using Skype or similar free services. The convenience of this approach for the client is very apparent: The client can take control of the process, paying only for the time that he or she wants to pay for. The client can have his session at a time that is convenient to him, and can take the time to compose his email questions and feedback at his leisure, instead of feeling pressured to perform during a traditional session. Of course, not having to take time off work to drive to a therapist's office is always a plus. Generally the cost for online sessions is much lower too since the therapist doesn't have to pay for office space. Generally, it is well recognized that if you make thera...

Mechanism of action in CBT (MAC): methods of a multi-center randomized controlled trial in 369 patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia

European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:44:27 +0100

Abstract Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is efficacious for panic disorder with agoraphobia (PD/A). Nevertheless, the active ingredients of treatment and the mechanisms through which CBT achieves its effects remain largely unknown. The mechanisms of action in CBT (MAC) study was established to investigate these questions in 369 patients diagnosed with PD/A. The MAC study utilized a multi-center, randomized controlled design, with two active treatment conditions in which the administration of exposure was varied, and a wait-list control group. The special feature of MAC is the way in which imbedded experimental, psychophysiological, and neurobiological paradigms were included to elucidate therapeutic and psychopathological processes. This paper describes the aims and goa...

A stepped care intervention is effective for elderly people with subthreshold depression or anxiety

Evidence-Based Mental Health — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:01:20 +0100

(Source: Evidence-Based Mental Health)

Anxiety Disorders Association of America Donald F. Klein Early Career Investigator Award

ScanGrants feed — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Deadline: October 1 This award will be given to an early career investigator for the best original research paper on neurobiology, psychopharmacology, psychosocial treatments, or experimental psychopathology of anxiety and anxiety-related disorders. The winning paper will be presented at the ADAA Annual Conference followed by rapid publication in ADAA’s official journal, Depression and Anxiety. The award will be presented by Donald Klein, MD, at the 30th Annual Conference, March 4-7, 2010, at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront. Eligibility The award is restricted to investigators who have completed their terminal degree and are currently at a rank of assistant professor or below. Individuals who are currently working to complete their degree are not eligible. Applicants must be the ...

Primary focal dystonia: evidence for distinct neuropsychiatric and personality profiles [Short reports]

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:51:24 +0100

Conclusions: Patients with PFD show distinct neuropsychiatric and personality profiles of the anxiety spectrum. PFD should therefore be viewed as a neuropsychiatric disorder rather than a pure movement disorder. (Source: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry)

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[Short reports] Primary focal dystonia: evidence for distinct neuropsychiatric and personality profiles

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Genetic and environmental influences on the co-morbidity between depression, panic disorder, agoraphobia, and social phobia: a twin study

Depression and Anxiety — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: MD, PD, AG, and SP strongly co-aggregate within families and common genetic factors explain a moderate proportion of variance in these four disorders. The high genetic correlation between PD and AG and the increased odds ratio for PD and AG in siblings of those with AG without PD suggests a common genetic etiology for PD and AG. Depression and Anxiety 0:1-8, 2009. Published 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. (Source: Depression and Anxiety)

Psychological treatment of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia: A meta-analysis.

Clinical Psychology Review — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Sánchez-Meca J, Rosa-Alcázar AI, Marín-Martínez F, Gómez-Conesa A Although the efficacy of psychological treatment for panic disorder (PD) with or without agoraphobia has been the subject of a great deal of research, the specific contribution of techniques such as exposure, cognitive therapy, relaxation training and breathing retraining has not yet been clearly established. This paper presents a meta-analysis applying random- and mixed-effects models to a total of 65 comparisons between a treated and a control group, obtained from 42 studies published between 1980 and 2006. The results showed that, after controlling for the methodological quality of the studies and the type of control group, the combination of exposure, relaxation training, and breathi...

Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents: Developmental Issues and Implications for DSM-V

Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100

This article critically reviews epidemiological evidence covering prevalence, incidence, course, and risk factors. The core challenge in this age span is the derivation of developmentally more sensitive assessment methods. Identification of characteristics that could serve as solid predictors for onset, course, and outcome will require prospective designs that assess a wide range of putative vulnerability and risk factors. This type of information is important for improved early recognition and differential diagnosis as well as prevention and treatment in this age span. (Source: Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America)

What Is Agoraphobia? What Causes Agoraphobia?

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:00:00 +0100

A person with agoraphobia fears being in places where there is a chance of having a panic attack that people may witness, and getting away rapidly may be difficult. Because of these fears the sufferer will deliberately avoid such places - which may include crowded areas, special events, queues (standing in line), buses and trains, shops and shopping centers, and airplanes. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Detecting depressive and anxiety disorders in distressed patients in primary care; comparative diagnostic accuracy of the Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire (4DSQ) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)

BioMed Central — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: In general practice patients on sick leave because of psychological problems, the 4DSQ and the HADS are equally able to detect depressive and anxiety disorder. However, for the detection of cases severe enough to warrant specific treatment, the 4DSQ may have some advantages over the HADS, specifically for the detection of panic disorder, agoraphobia and social phobia. (Source: BioMed Central)

The impact of differing anxiety disorders on outcome following an acute coronary syndrome: time to start worrying?

Depression and Anxiety — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Any impact of "anxiety" on post-ACS outcome appears to be influenced by the clinical sub-type. The seemingly paradoxical finding that GAD might improve outcome may reflect "apprehensive worrying" being constructive, by improving self-management of the individual's cardiac problems. Depression and Anxiety 0:1-8, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. (Source: Depression and Anxiety)

Development of mental health first aid guidelines for panic attacks: a Delphi study

BioMed Central — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: There are a number of actions which are considered to be useful for members of the public to do if they encounter someone who is having a panic attack. These guidelines will be useful in revision of curricula of mental health first aid programs. They can also be used by members of the public who want immediate information about how to assist someone who is experiencing panic attacks. (Source: BioMed Central)

A Brief History of Anxiety: Yours and Mine

Psych Central — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 19:11:59 +0100

In the U.S., 40 million adults have an anxiety disorder. Author Patricia Pearson is one of them: She is a regular visitor to Flu Wiki, an online community that fears an impending influenza outbreak. She compares her “uncomfortable but meaningless” angst to Edvard Munch’s The Scream . In A Brief History of Anxiety: Yours and Mine, Pearson describes the Flu Wiki: “The conversations ranged widely, from scientific discourses on virus mutation to historical analysis of pandemics, to tips for home fuel storage—on the presumption that self-quarantine would be the only effective protection from contracting the virus.” Though she realizes that her fears may be unwarranted and absurd, she can’t stop stockpiling her house with twelve containers of freeze-dried vegetables and powdered...

Cipralex (escitalopram) oral drops 20mg/ml - New Product

NeLM - SPC Changes — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Source: Pharmaceutical Journal Area: Other Library Updates > SPC Changes Cipralex oral drops 20mg/ml are now available from Lundbeck. Cipralex is indicated for the; Treatment of major depressive episodes. Treatment of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. Treatment of social anxiety disorder (social phobia). Treatment of generalised anxiety disorder. Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. See SPC for full details. (Source: NeLM - SPC Changes)

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A Brief Web-Based Screening Questionnaire for Common Mental Disorders: Development and Validation

Journal of Medical Internet Research — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The WSQ screens appropriately for common mental disorders. While the WSQ screens out negatives well, it also yields a high number of false positives. (Source: Journal of Medical Internet Research)

Screening for mood and anxiety disorders with the five-item, the three-item, and the two-item Mental Health Inventory

Psychiatry Research — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:31:25 +0100

We examined the validity of the MHI-d and the MHI-a (the remaining two items on anxiety) in a large population-based sample of 7076 adults in the Netherlands. We also examined the validity of the MHI in assessing specific anxiety disorders. The presence of depressive and anxiety disorders in the past month was assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), computerized version 1.1. ROC analyses indicated no significant difference between the MHI-5 (area under the curve of 0.93) and the MHI-d (area under the curve of 0.91) in detecting major depression and dysthymia. There was no difference either between the MHI-5 (area under the curve of 0.73) and the MHI-a (area under the curve 0.73) in detecting anxiety disorders. Both the MHI-5 and the MHI-a also seem to be adeq...

Changes in quality of life following cognitive-behavioral group therapy for panic disorder.

European Psychiatry — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Our results are encouraging for cognitive-behavior therapists who treat patients suffering from PD in groups, since decrease of PD symptoms appears to be associated with considerable improvements in QoL. Nevertheless, additional interventions designed to target specific aspects of QoL, in particular vitality, may be useful to enhance patients' well-being. PMID: 19545979 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: European Psychiatry)

Stepped care for depression and anxiety: a randomised controlled trial testing the effectiveness of a stepped care program among primary care patients with mood or anxiety disorders

BMC Health Services Research — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0100

This study is a randomised controlled trial with two conditions: stepped care and care as usual, whereby the latter forms the control group. The stepped care program consists of four evidence based interventions: (1) Watchful waiting, (2) Guided self-help, (3) Problem Solving Treatment and (4) Medication and/or specialized mental health care. The study population consists of primary care attendees aged 18-65 years. Screeners are sent to all patients of the participating general practitioners. Individuals with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders (DSM) diagnosis of major depression, dysthymia, panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia), generalized anxiety disorder, or social phobia are included as well as individuals with minor depression and anxiety disorders. Primary...

[Articles] Psychiatric Treatment Received by Primary Care Patients With Panic Disorder With and Without Agoraphobia

Psychiatr Serv — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest a need for better treatment dissemination, in addition to making interventions more accessible or adapting them to the particular needs of primary care patients. (Source: Psychiatr Serv)

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[INFLUENTIAL PUBLICATIONS] Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A State-of-the-Science Review

FOCUS — Mon, 11 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100

This article reviews the state-of-the-art research in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from several perspectives: (1) Sex differences: PTSD is more frequent among women, who tend to have different types of precipitating traumas and higher rates of comorbid panic disorder and agoraphobia than do men. (2) Risk and resilience: The presence of Group C symptoms after exposure to a disaster or act of terrorism may predict the development of PTSD as well as comorbid diagnoses. (3) Impact of trauma in early life: Persistent increases in CRF concentration are associated with early life trauma and PTSD, and may be reversed with paroxetine treatment. (4) Imaging studies: Intriguing findings in treated and untreated depressed patients may serve as a paradigm of failed brain adaptation to chronic e...

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A State-of-the-Science Review [INFLUENTIAL PUBLICATIONS]

FOCUS — Sun, 10 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Effect of maternal panic disorder on mother–child interaction and relation to child anxiety and child self-efficacy

Archives of Women's Mental Health — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 07:14:38 +0100

Abstract To determine whether mothers with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia interacted differently with their children than normal control mothers, 86 mothers and their adolescents (aged between 13 and 23 years) were observed during a structured play situation. Maternal as well as adolescent anxiety status was assessed according to a structured diagnostic interview. Results showed that mothers with panic disorder/agoraphobia showed more verbal control, were more criticizing and less sensitive during mother–child interaction than mothers without current mental disorders. Moreover, more conflicts were observed between mother and child dyadic interactions when the mother suffered from panic disorder. The comparison of parenting behaviors among anxious and non...

Agoraphobia

MayoClinic.com Full Feed — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 01:45:00 +0100

— Comprehensive overview covers agoraphobia symptoms, treatment and coping techniques for this anxiety disorder. Sponsored by:Chemotherapy.com - http://www.chemotherapy.com (Source: MayoClinic.com Full Feed)

Recurrent left ventricular apical ballooning induced by recurrent stress

International Journal of Cardiology — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 09:02:22 +0100

Abstract: This paper reports on a 67-year-old woman with apical ballooning and recurrent dyskinesia of left ventricular wall. During MRI-examination the patient developed severe apical dyskinesia of the left ventricle induced by agoraphobia in the magnet. (Source: International Journal of Cardiology)

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Long-term depression versus episodic major depression: Results from the prospective Zurich study of a community sample

Journal of Affective Disorders — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:31:50 +0100

Conclusions: LTD is common, clinically more serious than episodic MDE and highly comorbid.Limitations: The sample is relatively small with an attrition rate of 38.5% over 20 years. The results cannot be generalised to persons over 40 years of age and may be dependent on the definition of LTD. (Source: Journal of Affective Disorders)

Personality disorder traits as predictors of subsequent first-onset panic disorder or agoraphobia

Comprehensive Psychiatry — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:32:12 +0100

Abstract: Determining how personality disorder traits and panic disorder and/or agoraphobia relate longitudinally is an important step in developing a comprehensive understanding of the etiology of panic/agoraphobia. In 1981, a probabilistic sample of adult (≥18 years old) residents of east Baltimore were assessed for Axis I symptoms and disorders using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS); psychiatrists reevaluated a subsample of these participants and made Axis I diagnoses, as well as ratings of individual Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition personality disorder traits. Of the participants psychiatrists examined in 1981, 432 were assessed again in 1993 to 1996 using the DIS. Excluding participants who had baseline panic attacks or panic-like spells f...

Woman leaves house after 18 years

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:54:20 +0100

An agoraphobic woman who was too scared to leave her home for 18 years ventures outside for the first time. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

Anxiety UK campaign for agoraphobia awareness

ANXIETY UK News — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Britains leading anxiety charity campaigns for better awareness of the deadly impact of agoraphobia Anxiety UK, Britains leading anxiety disorders charity, is leading the way in awareness raising of the potentially deadly impact of agoraphobia. This comes after the tragic case in February of Kevins Keegans nephews suicide following his struggles with the condition. Agoraphobia is a widely misunderstood and very disabling condition, says Nicky Lidbetter, Chief Executive of Anxiety UK, who herself suffers with the condition. Time and time again at Anxiety UK we see cases of people whose lives have been destroyed by this debilitating disorder. It can often mean people are completely isolated from society, loosing their jobs and contact with friends and family, crippled by f...

Internet-Based Treatment for Panic Disorder: Does Frequency of Therapist Contact Make a Difference?

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100

This study examined whether frequency of therapist contact affected treatment outcomes. Fifty-seven people with panic disorder (including 32 with agoraphobia) were randomly allocated to an 8-week Internet-based cognitive behavioural treatment intervention (Panic Online) with either frequent (three e-mails per week) or infrequent (one e-mail per week) support from a psychologist. Posttreatment, intention-to-treat analyses revealed that both treatments were effective at improving panic disorder and agoraphobia severity ratings, panic-related cognitions, negative affect, and psychological and physical quality of life domains, with no differences between conditions. High end-state functioning was achieved by 28.6% of the frequent and infrequent participants, respectively. Therapist alliance, t...

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Agoraphobia

About.com Generalized Anxiety — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Definition of agoraphobia and how it can be related to GAD. (Source: About.com Generalized Anxiety)

A randomized study of massed three-week cognitive behavioural therapy schedule for panic disorder

Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The massed, 3-week group CBT schedule proved to be effective and feasible for PD patients with outcomes comparable with that of standard, spaced group CBT. (Source: Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica)

Genetic and pharmacokinetic factors affecting the initial pharmacotherapeutic effect of paroxetine in Japanese patients with panic disorder

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:13:07 +0100

Conclusion The high plasma concentration of PAX, the L/S genotype of 5-HTTLPR, and comorbid physical illness might be associated with a poor response to the initial phase of pharmacotherapy of PD with PAX. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory PharmacogeneticsDOI 10.1007/s00228-009-0633-8Authors Yoshinori Saeki, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu-machi, Shimotsuga Tochigi 321–0293 JapanTakashi Watanabe, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu-machi, Shimotsuga Tochigi 321–0293 JapanMikito Ueda, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu-machi, Shimotsuga Tochigi 321–0293 JapanAtsushi Saito, Dokkyo Medic...

Specificity of autonomic arousal to DSM-IV panic disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Behaviour Research and Therapy — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Brown TA, McNiff J Although research on the hierarchical model of anxiety and depression has confirmed that autonomic arousability (AA) is more germane to panic disorder with or without agoraphobia (PD/A) than other DSM-IV anxiety and mood disorders, studies have not evaluated the differential relevance of AA to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This issue was addressed in multivariate analytic models using 295 outpatients with anxiety and mood disorders. Consistent with prediction, the presence of current DSM-IV PTSD and PD/A was significantly predictive of AA, even when other forms of anxiety disorder comorbidity were held constant. Moreover, latent structural analyses indicated that PTSD and PD/A were the only DSM-IV anxiety disorder constructs to have significant direc...

Rates and types of psychiatric disorders in perinatally human immunodeficiency virus-infected youth and seroreverters

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Our data suggest that HIV+ youths are at high risk for mental health disorders. Further longitudinal research is necessary to understand the etiology, as well as potential protective factors, in order to inform efficacy-based interventions. (Source: Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry)

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Open-label support for duloxetine for the treatment of panic disorder.

CNS Neuroscience and Therapeutics — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 21:17:29 +0100

Authors: Simon NM, Kaufman RE, Hoge EA, Worthington JJ, Herlands NN, Owens ME, Pollack MH Panic disorder with or without agoraphobia is a common, often chronic and refractory anxiety disorder. Although a number of pharmacotherapies are now indicated for panic disorder, many patients do not respond to available interventions. We hypothesized that duloxetine, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) that has greater initial noradrenergic effects than venlafaxine, would have broad efficacy for individuals with panic disorder. Fifteen individuals with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia received 8 weeks of open label duloxetine flexibly dosed from 60 to 120 mg per day. Duloxetine treatment resulted in significant anxiolysis as measured by the primary outcome measure, the...

The impact of anxiety and migraine on quality of sleep in patients with major depressive disorder.

Comprehensive Psychiatry — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:07:30 +0100

CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates the negative impact of panic disorder and migraine on MDD and some of the interrelations between depression, anxiety, and sleep quality. Future studies should further explore these interactions and consider possible therapeutic interventions. PMID: 19216892 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Comprehensive Psychiatry)

Guidelines for differential diagnoses in a population with posttraumatic stress disorder.

Professional Psychology: Research and Practice — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100

In a large posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression treatment outcome study, thorough diagnostic assessments of veterans at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 3 follow-up times were completed. The research team that reviewed these assessments encountered several challenges in the differential diagnosis of PTSD because of high comorbidity and symptoms shared with or resembling other disorders. For example, how do mental health professionals distinguish symptoms of agoraphobia from avoidance and hypervigilance symptoms of PTSD? When are hallucinations symptomatic of PTSD (e.g., flashbacks) versus a nonpsychotic near-death experience or an independent psychotic disorder? How do mental health professionals differentiate overlapping symptoms of PTSD and depressive disorders? To help ma...

Lifetime comorbidities between phobic disorders and major depression in Japan: results from the World Mental Health Japan 2002-2004 Survey

Depression and Anxiety — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Social phobia is a powerful predictor of the subsequent first onset of MDD in Japan. Although this finding argues against a simple neurobiological model and in favor of a model in which the cultural meanings of phobia play a part in promoting MDD, an elucidation of causal pathways will require more fine-grained comparative research. Depression and Anxiety 0:1-7, 2009. Published 2009 Wiley-liss, Inc. (Source: Depression and Anxiety)

Prevalence of social phobia in non-demented elderly from a swedish population study.

Am J Geriatr Psychia... — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 05:58:47 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that DSM-IV criteria exclude a large group of individuals with social phobia. It could be discussed whether DSM-IV criteria should be revised to also encompass these individuals. PMID: 19172681 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Am J Geriatr Psychia...)

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Adult attachment styles in panic disorder with and without comorbid adult separation anxiety disorder.

The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:00:21 +0100

Conclusions: The findings finally dispel the notion that separation anxiety and anxious attachment are relevant to panic disorder with agoraphobia, suggesting instead that that constellation is confined to a separate group, namely that of adult separation anxiety disorder. Possible implications for treatment are considered. PMID: 19153925 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry)

Anxiety sensitivity as a predictor of the clinical course of panic disorder: a 1-year follow-up study

Depression and Anxiety — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Overall, these findings suggest that AS, as a unique construct, may be predictive of the amount of time patients are in episode of PD. Depression and Anxiety 0:1-8, 2009. Published 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. (Source: Depression and Anxiety)

Effects and feasibility of a preventive intervention in sub-threshold and mild panic disorder: Results of a pilot study

BMC Research Notes — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The study suggests that people with sub-threshold PD and mild PD could benefit from this preventive intervention and that the intervention might be feasible. Furthermore, the short version could be as effective as the long version. (Source: BMC Research Notes)

A Human Life Is Not a Problem to be Solved

Psychology Today Stress Center — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 04:48:34 +0100

If you happened to be walking through a southern college campus 30 years ago you might have seen a man sitting on a park bench apparently wiping his face in the warmth of a Spring day while gazing at the kind of lush green scenery only the South can provide. But if you had been inside this young man you would have seen something different. He was not actually wiping his face. That was a cover so that he could put his fingers on his neck and feel how fast his heart was beating. To his dismay he found that it was still above 160 beats a minute - a rate only hard exercise could produce even though he had not moved in nearly half an hour. And he was not actually looking at the trees and grass. Instead he was wondering how he could possibly stand up, and walk that 500 yards to a classroom fille...

The relationship between migraine and mental disorders in a population-based sample.

General Hospital Psychiatry — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Although causal inferences cannot be made due to the cross-sectional nature of the data, the present study adds to a growing body of literature that suggests a strong association between migraines and mood and anxiety disorders. PMID: 19134504 [PubMed - in process] (Source: General Hospital Psychiatry)

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Anxiety Sensitivity as a Moderator of the Association between Smoking Rate and Panic-Relevant Symptoms among a Community Sample of Middle-aged Adult Daily Smokers.

The American Journal on Addictions — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: McLeish AC, Zvolensky MJ, Del Ben KS, Burke RS The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the moderating role of anxiety sensitivity (AS) in the relation between smoking rate and panic vulnerability variables among a community-based sample of adults. Results indicated that the interaction between AS and smoking rate significantly predicted anxious arousal, agoraphobic avoidance, and anticipatory anxiety. Specifically, participants who reported higher levels of AS and heavier smoking rates reported the highest levels of panic vulnerability. These data suggest that this combination of high AS and heavier smoking is particularly problematic in regard to panic symptoms. PMID: 19219671 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The American Journal on Addictions)

Anxiety sensitivity as a moderator of the association between smoking rate and panic-relevant symptoms among a community sample of middle-aged adult daily smokers.

American Journal on Addictions — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: McLeish AC, Zvolensky MJ, Del Ben KS, Burke RS The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the moderating role of anxiety sensitivity (AS) in the relation between smoking rate and panic vulnerability variables among a community-based sample of adults. Results indicated that the interaction between AS and smoking rate significantly predicted anxious arousal, agoraphobic avoidance, and anticipatory anxiety. Specifically, participants who reported higher levels of AS and heavier smoking rates reported the highest levels of panic vulnerability. These data suggest that this combination of high AS and heavier smoking is particularly problematic in regard to panic symptoms. PMID: 19219671 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal on Addictions)

The anxiety disorder spectrum: Fear imagery, physiological reactivity, and differential diagnosis.

Anxiety, Stress, and Coping — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:52:56 +0100

Authors: Lang PJ, McTeague LM This review considers recent research assessing psychophysiological reactivity to fear imagery in anxiety disorder patients. As in animal subjects, fear cues prompt in humans a state of defensive motivation in which autonomic and somatic survival reflexes are markedly enhanced. Thus, a startle stimulus presented in a fear context yields a stronger (potentiated) reflex, providing a quantitative measure of fearful arousal. This fear potentiation is further exaggerated in specific or social phobia individuals when viewing pictures or imagining the phobic object. Paradoxically, fear imagery studies with more severe anxiety disorder patients - panic disorder with agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, or anxious patients with comorbid depression - show a bl...

Nocturnal Urinary Cortisol Excretion Over a Randomized Controlled Trial with Paroxetine vs. Placebo Combined with Relaxation Training or Aerobic Exercise in Panic Disorder.

Current Pharmaceutical Design — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:52:43 +0100

Discussion: HPA function shows significant gender differences, with females having a higher HPA function variability. Future studies on HPA function in treatment trials should address gender and medication effects. PMID: 19075728 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Current Pharmaceutical Design)

[Research papers] Space and motion discomfort and abnormal balance control in patients with anxiety disorders

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: In patients with anxiety disorders, higher SMD is indicative of somatosensory dependence in the control of balance. The absence of both panic and fear of heights reduces the probability of having peripheral vestibular dysfunction. Future research should examine if vestibular rehabilitation can be of value for patients with anxiety disorders complicated by SMD. (Source: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry)

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[Research papers] Space and motion discomfort and abnormal balance control in patients with anxiety disorders

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Beat the Winter Blues and help anxiety sufferers

ANXIETY UK News — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Feel good in more ways than one this Winter beat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and help anxiety sufferers in Manchester and beyond Anxiety UK, Britains largest anxiety disorders charity is based in Hulme, and is inviting the people of the region to join their team raising badly needed funds for anxiety sufferers by running in the Great Manchester Run. Leading Anxiety UKs team of runners who will be taking part in the Great Manchester Run in May 2009, is Nicky Lidbetter, the charitys Chief Executive. Nicky has had personal experience of agoraphobia and found exercise, particularly running, to be key to managing her anxiety. One in ten people will suffer from a disabling anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. This is a problem which touches all of our lives in some...

Short-term full kindling of the amygdala dissociates natural and periaqueductal gray-evoked flight behaviors of the rat.

Behavioural Brain Research — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Tannure RM, Bittencourt AS, Schenberg LC Panic attacks present a high comorbidity with agoraphobia, separation anxiety and generalized anxiety disorder. Nevertheless, while panic attacks have been frequently equated to fear, the relationship of panic disorder with specific phobias remains uncertain. The combination of experimental models of panic and phobias could but afford valuable information about both the comorbidity and causation of these disorders. As it regards, while the defensive behaviors produced by stimulation of dorsal periaqueductal gray matter (DPAG) resemble a panic attack, resistance to capture (RC) behaviors that ensue the kindling of the amygdala (AMY) are reminiscent of a phobic reaction. Therefore, this study examined the thresholds of DPAG-evoked panic-l...

Psychiatric epidemiology of the elderly population in chile.

Am J Geriatr Psychia... — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Both lifetime and 1-year prevalence of mental disorders were less common in older than in younger persons; however, among elderly adults late onset disorders were not uncommon. Additional studies of the prevalence rates of disorders among older individuals in Latin America are needed for public health planning. PMID: 19038901 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Am J Geriatr Psychia...)

Religious Participation and DSM-IV Disorders Among Older African Americans: Findings From the National Survey of American Life.

Am J Geriatr Psychia... — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This is the first study to investigate the relationship between religious participation and serious mental disorders among a national sample of older African Americans. The inverse relationship between religious service attendance and mood disorders is discussed. Implications for mental health treatment underscore the importance of assessing religious orientations to render more culturally sensitive care. PMID: 19038894 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Am J Geriatr Psychia...)

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The Epidemiology of Psychiatric Disorders in Quebec's Older Adult Population.

Canadian Journal of Psychiatry — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Our results indicate that a large proportion of the elderly population in Quebec presents mental health needs. Longitudinal research focusing on the individual and social consequences of mental health problems reported by older adults is needed to avoid misinterpretation of this finding. PMID: 19087480 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Canadian Journal of Psychiatry)

Early intervention in panic: randomized controlled trial and cost-effectiveness analysis

Trials — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100

This study was designed to evaluate the (cost) effectiveness of an early intervention based on cognitive behavioural principles. The strong external validity is one of the strengths of the study design. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN33407455. (Source: Trials)

[Regular Research Articles] Religious Participation and DSM-IV Disorders Among Older African Americans: Findings From the National Survey of American Life

Am J Geriatr Psychiatry — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100

[Regular Research Articles] Psychiatric Epidemiology of the Elderly Population in Chile

Am J Geriatr Psychiatry — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Panic disorder outcomes unaffected by bipolar II disorder comorbidity

MedWire News - Psychiatry — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Panic disorder patients with comorbid bipolar II disorder do not have worse panic-agoraphobic symptoms or outcomes than non-comorbid patients, despite having a more complex clinical profile, study findings suggest. (Source: MedWire News - Psychiatry)

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Panic disorder outcomes unaffected by bipolar II disorder comorbidity

MedWire News - Bipolar Disorder — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0100

[CLINICAL SYNTHESIS] Assessment of Panic Disorder Across the Life Span

FOCUS — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100

This article provides a broad overview of various screening and assessment tools used to evaluate panic disorder across the lifespan. The article also highlights some of the developmental differences and variability in the clinical presentation of pediatric and geriatric panic disorder. (Source: FOCUS)

[INFLUENTIAL PUBLICATIONS] Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Panic Disorder and Comorbidity: More of the Same or Less of More?

FOCUS — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100

This study compared the effects of a higher dose of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for panic disorder versus CBT for panic disorder combined with "straying" to CBT for comorbid disorders in individuals with a principal diagnosis of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. Sixty-five participants were randomly assigned to one of two treatment conditions, either CBT focused solely upon panic disorder and agoraphobia or CBT that simultaneously addressed panic disorder and agoraphobia and, to a lesser degree, the most severe comorbid condition. Results indicated a significant reduction in panic disorder severity and a decline in severity of comorbid diagnoses across both treatment conditions. However, individuals receiving CBT focused only on panic disorder were more likely to meet high...

[INFLUENTIAL PUBLICATIONS] Psychotherapy Plus Antidepressant for Panic Disorder With or Without Agoraphobia: Systematic Review

FOCUS — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Either combined therapy or psychotherapy alone may be chosen as first-line treatment for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, depending on the patient's preferences. (Reprinted with permission from British Journal of Psychiatry 2006; 188:305–312) (Source: FOCUS)

[INFLUENTIAL PUBLICATIONS] Influence of Psychiatric Comorbidity on Recovery and Recurrence in Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia, and Panic Disorder: A 12-Year Prospective Study

FOCUS — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: These data depict the anxiety disorders as insidious, with a chronic clinical course, low rates of recovery, and relatively high probabilities of recurrence. The presence of particular comorbid psychiatric disorders significantly lowered the likelihood of recovery from anxiety disorders and increased the likelihood of their recurrence. The findings add to the understanding of the nosology and treatment of these disorders. (Reprinted with permission from American Journal of Psychiatry 2005; 162:1179–1187) (Source: FOCUS)

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Assessment of Panic Disorder Across the Life Span [CLINICAL SYNTHESIS]

FOCUS — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Panic Disorder and Comorbidity: More of the Same or Less of More? [INFLUENTIAL PUBLICATIONS]

FOCUS — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Psychotherapy Plus Antidepressant for Panic Disorder With or Without Agoraphobia: Systematic Review [INFLUENTIAL PUBLICATIONS]

FOCUS — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Influence of Psychiatric Comorbidity on Recovery and Recurrence in Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia, and Panic Disorder: A 12-Year Prospective Study [INFLUENTIAL PUBLICATIONS]

FOCUS — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Patients With Anxiety Disorders Think They Have More Physiological Problems Than They Really Have, According To Study

ScienceDaily Headlines — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:44:43 +0100

New research shows that patients with serious anxiety disorders (panic disorder with and without agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder or generalized anxiety disorder) think they suffer more physiological (palpitations, sweating, irregular breathing, shaking of the hands and muscular tension, etc.) than they really have. In other words, although many patients with anxiety disorders have orally reported very intense physiological symptoms in surveys and questionaires, they are hyporeactive when real measures of such symptoms are taken through physiological tests. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

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Patients With Anxiety Disorders Think They Have More Physiological Problems Than They Really Have, According To A Study

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 08:00:00 +0100

A doctoral thesis carried out at the University of Granada has proved that patients with serious anxiety disorders (panic disorder with and without agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder or generalized anxiety disorder) think they suffer more physiological (palpitations, sweating, irregular breathing, shaking of the hands and muscular tension â€¦) than they really have. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Patients With Anxiety Disorders Think They Have More Physiological Problems Than They Really Have

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:00:00 +0100

Evidence-based guidelines for interpretation of the Panic Disorder Severity Scale

Depression and Anxiety — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: We propose that "remission" of panic disorder be defined by PDSS scores of five or less and its "response" by 40% or greater reduction. Depression and Anxiety 0:1-8, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. (Source: Depression and Anxiety)

The clinical-familial correlates and naturalistic outcome of panic-disorder-agoraphobia with and without lifetime bipolar II comorbidity

Annals of General Psychiatry — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Although the severity and outcome of panic-agoraphobic symptomatology appear to be similar in patients with and without lifetime bipolar comorbidity, the higher number of concomitant disorders in our PD patients with BP-II does indicate a greater complexity of the clinical picture in this naturalistic study. That such complexity does not seem to translate into poorer response and outcome in those with comorbid soft bipolarity probably reflects the fact that we had brought BP-II under control with mood stabilizers. We discuss the implications of our findings as further evidence for the existence of a distinct anxious-bipolar diathesis. (Source: Annals of General Psychiatry)

What do all personality disorders have in common? Ineffectiveness and uncooperativeness.

Comprehensive Psychiatry — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Gutiérrez F, Navinés R, Navarro P, García-Esteve L, Subirá S, Torrens M, Martín-Santos R We still lack operative and theoretically founded definitions of what a personality disorder (PD) is, as well as empirically validated and feasible instruments to measure the disorder construct. The Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) is the only personality instrument that explicitly distinguishes personality style and disordered functioning. Here, we seek to (1) confirm in a clinical sample that the character dimensions of the TCI capture a general construct of PD across all specific PD subtypes, (2) determine whether such core features can be used to detect the presence of PD, and (3) analyze whether such detection is affected by the presence and severity ...

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Co-occurrence of Axis I and Axis II disorders in female and male patients with panic disorder with agoraphobia.

Comprehensive Psychiatry — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that there are more similarities than differences between sexes in the co-occurring Axis I and Axis II disorders. Still, the relatively specific relationships between PDA and excessive alcohol use in men and between PDA and dependent personality traits and personality disorder in women seem important and have implications for clinical practice and treatment. PMID: 18970901 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comprehensive Psychiatry)

Objective and Subjective Measures in Recovery From a 35% Carbon Dioxide Challenge.

Canadian Journal of Psychiatry — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Results suggest that PD patients have less effective homeostatic control after their physiological equilibrium has been disrupted by a respiratory stressor. PMID: 19087467 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Canadian Journal of Psychiatry)

"Specificity of treatment effects: Cognitive therapy and relaxation for generalized anxiety and panic disorders": Correction.

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 08:15:38 +0100

Reports an error in "Specificity of treatment effects: Cognitive therapy and relaxation for generalized anxiety and panic disorders" by Jedidiah Siev and Dianne L. Chambless (Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 2007[Aug], Vol 75[4], 513-522). The individual measures were not listed in the domains labeled "Panic" and "Cognitive" for the Öst and Westling (1995) citation in Table 3. The corrected table is included, with the added text appearing in bold font. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2007-11558-001.) The aim of this study was to address claims that among bona fide treatments no one is more efficacious than another by comparing the relative efficacy of cognitive therapy (CT) and relaxation therapy (RT) in the treatment of generalized anxiety...

Nothing to Fear, but Fear Itself?

Psychology Today Stress Center — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 05:27:38 +0100

Now is a perfect time to reflect on FDR's first inauguration speech - when the economic situation was far worse than it is now (excerpts as follows): "This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself-nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance..." "In such a spirit on my part and on yours we face our common difficulties. They concern, thank God, only material things... Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment. Yet our distress comes from no failure of substance. We are stricken by no plague of locusts. Compared with the perils which our forefathers conquered bec...

Screening capacity of the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for children (MASC) for DSM-IV anxiety disorders

Depression and Anxiety — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: These results suggest that the MASC may not be a valid screening instrument for DSM-IV diagnoses. Depression and Anxiety 0:1-7, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. (Source: Depression and Anxiety)

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Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders

Psych Central — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:06:15 +0100

: Success Stories, Strategies, and Other Good News Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problem in America, affecting one in every nine people. Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders brings us triumphant tales by those who have overcome them. Men and women of diverse ages and backgrounds share their individual experiences battling anxiety. Offering hope and inspiration, their essays discuss methods for recovery and techniques to manage symptoms. Each account is followed by a therapist’s explanation of the recovery techniques used and how others can apply these techniques to their lives. This book is an anthology of success stories from 31 women and men who have overcome anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiet...

Impact of substance-induced and general medical condition exclusion criteria on the prevalence of common mental disorders as defined by the CIDI.

The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:51:18 +0100

Conclusions: In surveys that use the Composite International Diagnostic Interview version 2.1 the substance-induced and general medical condition exclusion criteria have a minor impact on determining final case definition in the majority of mental disorders. PMID: 18777235 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry)

Association analysis of Rgs7 variants with panic disorder

Journal of Neural Transmission — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 07:41:17 +0100

Abstract Following our recent finding of Rgs2 playing a role in the development of human panic disorder (PD), we examine another positional and functional candidate from the functionally interwoven Rgs (regulator of G-protein signaling) family, Rgs7, in the pathogenesis of PD. A German PD sample (N = 224) was compared with matched controls (N = 224) for seven SNPs within and flanking the gene. The intronic SNP3 (rs11805657) and its corresponding haplotypes were found to be associated with PD, particularly PD with comorbid agoraphobia (PDAgP), with the effect originating from the female subgroup (P values 0.008–0.047). The rare A-allele was underrepresented in patients, suggesting a protective effect with carriers possessing an about 2-fold lower risk f...

Structural magnetic ressonance imaging in anxiety disorders: an update of research findings.

Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The present review indicates that structural neuroimaging has contributed to a better understanding of the neurobiology of anxiety disorders. Further development of neuroimaging techniques, better sample standardization and the integration of data across neuroimaging modalities may extend progress in this area. PMID: 18833427 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria)

Structural magnetic resonance imaging in anxiety disorders: an update of research findings.

Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The present review indicates that structural neuroimaging has contributed to a better understanding of the neurobiology of anxiety disorders. Further development of neuroimaging techniques, better sample standardization and the integration of data across neuroimaging modalities may extend progress in this area. PMID: 18833427 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria)

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[Levels of adenosine deaminase and dipeptidyl peptidase IV in patients with panic disorder]

Turkish Journal of Psychiatry — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 09:09:26 +0100

CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that there may be a primary or secondary impaired immune state in the course of panic disorder, as there is in many other psychiatric disorders, such as major depression. Future studies with larger samples are needed to clarify the relationship between the immune system and panic disorder. PMID: 18561047 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Turkish Journal of Psychiatry)

Psychotherapy mediated by remote communication technologies: a meta-analytic review

BioMed Central — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Remote therapy has the potential to overcome some of the barriers to conventional psychological therapy services. Telephone-based interventions are a particularly popular research focus and as a means of therapeutic communication may confer specific advantages in terms of their widespread availability and ease of operation. However, the available evidence is limited in quantity and quality. More rigorous trials are required to confirm these preliminary estimates of effectiveness. Future research priorities should include overcoming the methodological shortcomings of published work by conducting large-scale trials that incorporate both clinical outcome and more process-orientated measures. (Source: BioMed Central)

Internet Addiction: Real or Really Techno-Hysteria? - Part 3

Psychology Today Addiction Center — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:46:30 +0100

Recall in the previous blog that I remarked about a strong tendency for mental health professionals to make addictions out of non-substance-abuse-based excessive behavior patterns. This addictifying habit (should I say, addiction?) covers excesses (an ambiguous metric, to be sure) in such areas as sex, gambling, certain eating disorders, athletics, exercise, drugs, shopping, even television watching. The most recent culprit is the Internet and its excessive use, sometimes to the point of exhaustion, death, suicide, and in rare cases, murder.It was also previously noted that a number of mental health and addiction experts often look askance at this addictification epidemic. They suggest that people who do repetitive, compulsive even harmful behaviors are often people who already have ...

Cognitive-behavior therapy for Japanese patients with panic disorder: Acute phase and one-year follow-up results

Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Our data suggest that group cognitive behavioral therapy for panic disorder can bring about as much symptom reduction among Japanese patients with panic disorder as among Western patients. (Source: Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences)

Psychiatric disorders are associated with hospital care utilization in persons with hypertension

Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 07:57:49 +0100

Conclusion Results suggest that addressing mental health problems in persons with hypertension may decrease healthcare utilization. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory ORIGINAL PAPERDOI 10.1007/s00127-008-0377-2Authors Julie A. Wagner, University of Connecticut Health Center Division of Behavioral Sciences and Community Health 263 Farmington Avenue Farmington CT 06030 USARobert H. Pietrzak, University of Connecticut Health Center Dept. of Psychiatry Farmington CT USANancy M. Petry, University of Connecticut Health Center Dept. of Psychiatry Farmington CT USA Journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric EpidemiologyOnline ISSN 1433-9285Print ISSN 0933-7954 (Source: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology)

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[Levels of Adenosine Deaminase and Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV in Patients with Panic Disorder.]

Turkish Journal of Psychiatry — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 22:22:04 +0100

CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that there may be a primary or secondary impaired immune state in the course of panic disorder, as there is in many other psychiatric disorders, such as major depression. Future studies with larger samples are needed to clarify the relationship between the immune system and panic disorder. PMID: 18561047 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Turkish Journal of Psychiatry)

Mood and anxiety disorders in females with the FMR1 premutation

American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 04:00:00 +0100

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a model for studying the relative contributions of genetic and environmental factors to psychiatric disorders in mothers of children with disabilities. Here, we examine the frequency and predictors of mood and anxiety disorders in mothers with the FMR1 premutation. Ninety-three females with the FMR1 premutation were in the study and were compared to 2,159 women from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R) dataset. Mood and anxiety disorders were assessed using the SCID-I. Our data reflect elevated lifetime major depressive disorder (MDD), lifetime panic disorder without agoraphobia and current agoraphobia without panic disorder in the FMR1 premutation sample. Also, we found a low frequency of lifetime social phobia, specific phobia, and post-traumati...

The prevalence of mental and physical health disorders among older methadone patients.

Am J Geriatr Psychia... — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: In the next decade, the growing and aging substance abusing population will require clinicians trained in both geriatrics and substance abuse. Health and mental health professionals have the opportunity to address the specialized needs of this population and prepare for the shifting service needs these older patients will require. PMID: 18515693 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Am J Geriatr Psychia...)

[Regular Research Articles] The Prevalence of Mental and Physical Health Disorders Among Older Methadone Patients

Am J Geriatr Psychiatry — Fri, 30 May 2008 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: In the next decade, the growing and aging substance abusing population will require clinicians trained in both geriatrics and substance abuse. Health and mental health professionals have the opportunity to address the specialized needs of this population and prepare for the shifting service needs these older patients will require. (Source: Am J Geriatr Psychiatry)

Primary leptomeningeal B-cell lymphoma of MALT-type in statu nascendi: A case report and review of the literature.

Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery — Tue, 20 May 2008 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Weis S, Llenos IC A 29-year-old Caucasian female suffering from bipolar disorder, mixed, moderate with psychotic features (DSM-IV 296.64) and panic disorder without agoraphobia (DSM-IV 300.01) died as a result of an accidental overdose. Upon histopathological examination of the brain, as an incidental finding, a small lesion (1mmx2mm) composed of heterogeneous small lymphocytic cells (CD20-positive) including centrocyte-like cells, a few small lymphocytes and rare immunoblast-like cells was evident. The diagnosis of primary leptomeningeal MALT-type lymphoma was made. Due to its small size and lack of space-occupying characteristics, the lesion is considered to be in statu nascendi. This case adds another aspect to the rare entity of primary leptomeningeal lymphomas. PMID: ...

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Therapist-Assisted, Internet-Based Treatment for Panic Disorder: Can General Practitioners Achieve Comparable Patient Outcomes to Psychologists?

Journal of Medical Internet Research — Mon, 19 May 2008 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This study provides evidence that Internet-based interventions are an effective adjunct to existing mental health care systems. Consequently, this may facilitate and enhance the delivery of evidence-based mental health treatments to increasingly large segments of the population via primary care systems and through suitably trained health professionals. (Source: Journal of Medical Internet Research)

Are We Born to be Afraid?

Psychology Today Stress Center — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:19:33 +0100

Are you afraid of heights? Or closed spaces? Or snakes, bugs, and rats? Are you afraid of the water? Well, you’re not alone. Our prehistoric ancestors had the very same fears—which is why you are alive today. What are the most common fears that we have? Our most common fears are of snakes, bugs, mice, bats, heights and water. What do these have in common? They are dangerous. Let’s imagine that you are the evolutionary designer of a human being. Now, you are going to design a human who can survive in a primitive environment where there are tigers, lions, wolves, and poisonous snakes and bugs. It’s an environment where starvation is the general rule. What will you build into the software in the primitive brain? You will build in FEAR. Fear is adaptive because it protects u...

Cognitive-behavioral treatment for panic disorder with agoraphobia: a randomized, controlled trial and cost-effectiveness analysis.

Behavior Modification — Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Roberge P, Marchand A, Reinharz D, Savard P A randomized, controlled trial was conducted to examine the cost-effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) for panic disorder with agoraphobia. A total of 100 participants were randomly assigned to standard (n = 33), group (n = 35), and brief (n = 32) treatment conditions. Results show significant clinical and statistical improvement on standard symptom measures and quality of life from baseline to posttreatment and 3-month follow-up, with no significant differences between treatment conditions. Compared with standard CBT, brief and group CBT incurred lower treatment costs and had a superior cost-effectiveness ratio, suggesting the potential of these alternative treatment conditions in increasing access to effective treat...

Is Panic A Pharmaceutical Invention?

Psychology / Psychiatry News From Medical News Today — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 07:00:00 +0100

A paper by Giovanni A. Fava and associates of the University of Bologna published in the April issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics summarizes the evidence which supports the seriousness of agoraphobia as an invalidating disease. At the same time it questions the excessive emphasis on panic which has been attributed in the past decade and the role of pharmaceutical industry in this attribution. (Source: Psychology / Psychiatry News From Medical News Today)

Overweight and Obesity Are Associated With Psychiatric Disorders: Results From the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions

Psychosomatic Medicine — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: These data provide a systematic and comprehensive assessment of the association between body weight and psychiatric conditions. Interventions addressing weight loss may benefit from integrating treatment for psychiatric disorders. (Source: Psychosomatic Medicine)

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Recurrent left ventricular apical ballooning induced by recurrent stress.

International Journal of Cardiology — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kleinfeldt T, Severin R, Lischke S, Ince H, Nienaber CA This paper reports on a 67-year-old woman with apical ballooning and recurrent dyskinesia of left ventricular wall. During MRI-examination the patient developed severe apical dyskinesia of the left ventricle induced by agoraphobia in the magnet. PMID: 18406481 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: International Journal of Cardiology)

Agoraphobia between panic and phobias: clinical epidemiology from the Sesto Fiorentino Study.

Comprehensive Psychiatry — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:40:56 +0100

Authors: Faravelli C, Cosci F, Rotella F, Faravelli L, Catena Dell'osso M In the last few decades, there has been a long debate on the existence of agoraphobia (AG) without a history of panic attacks (PAs). In the present study, the problem of the relationships between AG and PAs is addressed trough a reevaluation of the cases who had been diagnosed with AG in the community survey of Sesto Fiorentino. Forty-one of the 75 subjects who met the criterion of AG in the Sesto Fiorentino Study were reinterviewed by experienced clinical psychiatrists. The Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) and the Composite International Diagnostic Interview were used to make the diagnoses. The Mobility Inventory for Agoraphobia (MIA...

Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Panic Disorder With Agoraphobia: A Randomized, Controlled Trial and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Behavior Modification — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0100

A randomized, controlled trial was conducted to examine the cost-effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) for panic disorder with agoraphobia. A total of 100 participants were randomly assigned to standard (n = 33), group (n = 35), and brief (n = 32) treatment conditions. Results show significant clinical and statistical improvement on standard symptom measures and quality of life from baseline to posttreatment and 3-month follow-up, with no significant differences between treatment conditions. Compared with standard CBT, brief and group CBT incurred lower treatment costs and had a superior cost-effectiveness ratio, suggesting the potential of these alternative treatment conditions in increasing access to effective treatment. (Source: Behavior Modification)

[The effectiveness of anxiety treatment on alcohol-dependent patients with a comorbid phobic disorder: a randomised controlled trial]

Tijdschrift voor Psychiatrie — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:51:50 +0100

CONCLUSION: Anxiety treatment for alcohol-dependent patients with a comorbid anxiety disorder can alleviate anxiety symptoms but has no significant effect on the outcome of alcohol treatment programmes. PMID: 18324601 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Tijdschrift voor Psychiatrie)

[Articles] Using Computerized Adaptive Testing to Reduce the Burden of Mental Health Assessment

Psychiatr Serv — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Instead of using small fixed-length tests, clinicians can create item banks with a large item pool, and a small set of the items most relevant for a given individual can be administered with no loss of information, yielding a dramatic reduction in administration time and patient and clinician burden. (Source: Psychiatr Serv)

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Agoraphobia Is A Disease

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 07:00:00 +0100

A landmark epidemiological study has been published in the third 2008 issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics by H.U. Wittchen and collaborators at the University of Dresden. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Judgments of impairment and distress associated with symptoms of internalizing and externalizing disorders.

Anxiety, Stress, and Coping — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:41:39 +0100

Authors: Howell AJ, Watson DC The pattern of dysfunction (i.e. impairment vs. distress) judged to be associated with disorders empirically identified by Krueger, Caspi, Moffitt and Silva (1998) as internalizing (e.g. major depressive episode; agoraphobia) was compared to the pattern characterizing disorders classified as externalizing (e.g. antisocial personality disorder; alcohol dependence). In Study 1, lay raters (N=270) judged the social impairment, occupational impairment, and personal distress associated with symptoms of seven internalizing and four externalizing disorders. As predicted, symptoms composing internalizing disorders were perceived as involving a greater degree of distress, and a lesser degree of impairment, relative to symptoms composing externalizing disorders. In ...

Is it Possible to Have More Than One Personality Disorder?

CounsellingResource.com News and Features — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:47:56 +0100

Q: I’ve seen a psychiatrist after 12 years of depression and emotional problems, eating disorders, self harm, agoraphobia and getting over childhood abuse. I’m 26. My psychiatrist said she thought I may have one or more personality disorders — namely Borderline, Histrionic and Narcissistic at the same time. Is that at all possible to have [...] (Source: CounsellingResource.com News and Features)

Change in interpersonal problems after cognitive agoraphobia and schema-focused therapy versus psychodynamic treatment as usual of inpatients with agoraphobia and Cluster C personality disorders

Scandinavian Journal of Psychology — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 03:15:43 +0100

Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, Volume 49, Issue 2, Page 195-199, April 2008. Gude, T. & Hoffart, A. (2008). Change in interpersonal problems after cognitive agoraphobia and schema-focused therapy versus psychodynamic treatment as usual of inpatients with agoraphobia and Cluster C personality disorders. Scandinavian Journal of ... (Source: Scandinavian Journal of Psychology)

Antidepressants have the central role in the pharmacological treatment of agoraphobia with panic disorder.

Drugs & Therapy Perspectives — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 07:51:09 +0100

Page: 13 (Source: Drugs & Therapy Perspectives)

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Antidepressants have the central role in the pharmacological treatment of agoraphobia with panic disorder

Drugs — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:47:52 +0100

(Source: Drugs)

[The effectiveness of anxiety treatment on alcohol-dependent patients with a comorbid phobic disorder: a randomised controlled trial.]

Tijdschrift voor Psychiatrie — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 21:39:42 +0100

I Am Half a Person…Panic Attacks and Agoraphobia

CounsellingResource.com News and Features — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 09:21:41 +0100

Q: To have a better understanding of my problem I would like to tell you a bit about myself. I am 25, from one of the CIS countries. As a kid and teenager I was very brave, hardworking and purposeful. At the age of 15 I won an exchange program scholarship and studied a year [...] (Source: CounsellingResource.com News and Features)

Comorbid Depression and Anxiety in Later Life: Patterns of Association, Subjective Well-being, and Impairment.

Am J Geriatr Psychia... — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Although comorbidity between physical health conditions and depression, and between dementias and depression, are well documented among older adults, these results suggest that comorbid depression and anxiety are also prevalent in later life. The significant impact of comorbidity on function and well-being underlines the need to screen for comorbid disorders in this population. PMID: 18310551 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Am J Geriatr Psychia...)

Combined antidepressants and CBT for panic disorder with agoraphobia.

J Psychiatry Neurosc... — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Coupland NJ PMID: 18330461 [PubMed - in process] (Source: J Psychiatry Neurosc...)

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[Agoraphobia: combined treatment and virtual reality. Preliminary results]

Actas Espanolas de Psiquiatria — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Agoraphobia combined treatments including paroxetine, venlafaxine and cognitive-behavioral therapy (with or without VRET) seem to have clear benefits for the patients. VRET seem to be a possible and effective treatment for agoraphobic patients, especially for those with chronic agoraphobia. PMID: 18365789 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Actas Espanolas de Psiquiatria)

A pilot study of sensation-focused intensive treatment for panic disorder with moderate to severe agoraphobia: preliminary outcome and benchmarking data.

Behavior Modification — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 05:00:00 +0100

This report presents results of a treatment for panic disorder with moderate to severe agoraphobia (PDA-MS) called sensation-focused intensive treatment (SFIT). SFIT is an 8-day intensive treatment that combines features of cognitive- behavioral treatment for panic disorder, such as interoceptive exposure and cognitive restructuring with ungraded situational exposure. SFIT focuses on feared physical sensations as well as agoraphobic avoidance. Preliminary data support the utility of SFIT in improving PDA-MS. The goal of this exploratory study was to further investigate the effectiveness of SFIT and evaluate factors related to treatment outcome, including severity of panic symptoms, gender, comorbidity, self-efficacy, and place of residence (local vs. remote). SFIT was found to be effective...

MHPG and heart rate as correlates of nonresponse to drug therapy in panic disorder patients

Psychopharmacology — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 09:36:51 +0100

Abstract Little is known about biological predictors of treatment response in panic disorder (PD). In the present study heart rate, blood pressure, plasma cortisol and plasma MHPG were investigated at baseline in a sample of 44 PD patients as possible predictors for nonresponse to treatment. We used a strict definition of nonresponse to find patients who did not respond at all after 12 weeks of treatment with brofaromine or fluvoxamine. Patients were considered nonresponders when they fulfilled two criteria: they did not show a 50% reduction of agoraphobic avoidance and they still experienced panic attacks at endpoint. The variables that differed significantly between the groups were used to predict nonresponse to drug therapy. Using this strict definition of nonresponse, ...

[Regular Research Articles] Comorbid Depression and Anxiety in Later Life: Patterns of Association, Subjective Well-being, and Impairment

Am J Geriatr Psychiatry — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Is a combined therapy more effective than either CBT or SSRI alone? Results of a multicenter trial on panic disorder with or without agoraphobia

Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 02:49:04 +0100

Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page ???, November 2004. van Apeldoorn FJ, van Hout WJPJ, Mersch PPA, Huisman M, Slaap BR, Hale WW III, Visser S, van Dyck R, den Boer JA. Is a combined therapy more effective than either CBT or SSRI alone? Results of a multicenter trial on panic disorder with or without ... (Source: Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica)

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The internalizing and externalizing structure of psychiatric comorbidity in combat veterans

Journal of Traumatic Stress — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 05:00:00 +0100

This study examined the latent structure of psychiatric disorders in a sample with a high prevalence of PTSD. A series of confirmatory factor analyses tested competing models for the covariation between Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R diagnoses among 1,325 Vietnam veterans. The best-fitting solution was a 3-factor model that included two correlated internalizing factors: anxious-misery, defined by PTSD and major depression, and fear, defined by panic disorder/agoraphobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The third factor, externalizing, was defined by antisocial personality disorder, alcohol abuse/dependence, and drug abuse/dependence. Both substance-related disorders also showed significant, albeit smaller, cross-loadings on the anxious-misery factor. These findings shed new ...

Nine-year follow-up of panic disorder in chest pain patients: clinical course and predictors of outcome.

General Hospital Psychiatry — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 21:05:40 +0100

CONCLUSION: Chest pain patients with PD have a negative long-term outcome and those who score high on somatization require special attention because of particularly poor outcomes. PMID: 18291295 [PubMed - in process] (Source: General Hospital Psychiatry)

Treatment Planning for Panic Disorder

Psychiatric Times — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:49:37 +0100

Panic disorder with or without agoraphobia is a chronic, debilitating psychiatric illness that affects about 4.7% of the general US population. (Source: Psychiatric Times)

A Pilot Study of Sensation-Focused Intensive Treatment for Panic Disorder With Moderate to Severe Agoraphobia: Preliminary Outcome and Benchmarking Data

Behavior Modification — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 05:00:00 +0100

This report presents results of a treatment for panic disorder with moderate to severe agoraphobia (PDA-MS) called sensation-focused intensive treatment (SFIT). SFIT is an 8-day intensive treatment that combines features of cognitive— behavioral treatment for panic disorder, such as interoceptive exposure and cognitive restructuring with ungraded situational exposure. SFIT focuses on feared physical sensations as well as agoraphobic avoidance. Preliminary data support the utility of SFIT in improving PDA-MS. The goal of this exploratory study was to further investigate the effectiveness of SFIT and evaluate factors related to treatment outcome, including severity of panic symptoms, gender, comorbidity, self-efficacy, and place of residence (local vs. remote). SFIT was found to be eff...

Agoraphobia and Panic

Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:14:20 +0100

Psychother Psychosom 2008;77:147-157 (DOI:10.1159/000116608) (Source: Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics)

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Agoraphobia Is a Disease: A Tribute to Sir Martin Roth

Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:14:16 +0100

Psychother Psychosom 2008;77:133-138 (DOI:10.1159/000116606) (Source: Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics)

Expressed emotion and familial interaction: A study with agoraphobic and obsessive-compulsive patients and their relatives.

Journal of Abnormal Psychology — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:09:04 +0100

Patients with panic disorder with agoraphobia (n = 40) or obsessive- compulsive disorder (n = 61) participated in a 10-min problem-solving interaction with their primary relative. Relatives were categorized as hostile or nonhostile toward the patient on the basis of a measure of expressed emotion (EE). Observed interactions between patients and their hostile relatives, relative to those of dyads with a nonhostile relative, were marked by higher rates of relatives' criticism and of patients' negativity but not by higher rates of negative reciprocity. Analyses of sequences indicated that the dyads with a hostile relative had a higher rate of sequences in which the relative was first critical and the patient then negative than was the case for dyads with nonhostile relatives. Moreover, hostil...

The prevalence of panic disorder in pregnant women during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Comprehensive Psychiatry — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 08:59:26 +0100

CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that PD may be common among pregnant females during the third trimester of pregnancy and seems to be associated with similar clinical features during gestation and nongestation. PMID: 18243887 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comprehensive Psychiatry)

Childhood trauma, trauma in adulthood, and psychiatric diagnoses: results from a community sample.

Comprehensive Psychiatry — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 08:59:22 +0100

This study compared the prevalence rates of various psychiatric disorders in persons with first onset of a potentially traumatic event (PTE) in childhood, persons with first onset of a PTE in adulthood, and those with no history of a PTE in a representative sample of Chileans. The Diagnostic of Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Revised Third Edition (DSM-III-R), posttraumatic stress disorder, and antisocial personality disorder modules from the Diagnostic Interview Schedule and modules for a range of DSM-III-R diagnoses from the Composite International Diagnostic Interview were administered to 2390 Chileans. The study found that exposure to a lifetime PTE was associated with a higher probability of psychiatric morbidity than no PTE exposure. A PTE with childhood onset relative to adu...

The scores of Hamilton depression, anxiety, and panic agoraphobia rating scales in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Anadolu Kardiyol Der... — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Higher scores of depression, anxiety, and panic agoraphobia were particularly common findings in female patients and in those patients with diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and CVD. Depression and anxiety disorder may be prevalent in patients who had been treated for ACS. We believe that patients should be carefully followed and treated for depression and anxiety disorder after ACS treatment to prevent adverse outcomes. PMID: 18258533 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Anadolu Kardiyol Der...)

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Age of onset and temporal sequencing of lifetime DSM-IV alcohol use disorders relative to comorbid mood and anxiety disorders.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Alcohol abuse, but not dependence, precedes many mood and anxiety disorders. If the primary disorder does in fact play a causative or contributing role in the development of the subsequent disorder, this role can best be described as "temporally distal." However, in assessing the risk for persistent alcohol dependence, clinicians should not only consider the type of comorbid mood/anxiety disorder, but also the temporal ordering of these disorders. PMID: 18215474 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)

Use of benzodiazepines and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in middle-aged and older adults with anxiety disorders: a longitudinal and prospective study.

Am J Geriatr Psychia... — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Although there was an increase in SSRI/SNRI use in older participants with anxiety disorders over the course of study, at nine years of follow-up, only 35% of participants were utilizing SSRI/SNRI medication, while more than one-half of the same participants were continuing to use BZs. To the authors' knowledge, there are no randomized clinical trials that have addressed comparative efficacy and safety of BZs and SSRIs/SNRIs in this population. However, there is documented evidence of adverse effects of chronic BZ use and the risk of developing dependency in older populations. PMID: 18165458 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Am J Geriatr Psychia...)

Heritability of self-reported phobic fear.

Behavior Genetics — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Distel MA, Vink JM, Willemsen G, Middeldorp CM, Merckelbach HL, Boomsma DI Twin studies on fear and phobia suggest moderate genetic effects. However, results are inconclusive regarding the presence of dominant genetic effects and sex differences. Using an extended twin design, including male and female twins (n = 5,465) and their siblings (n = 1,624), we examined the genetic and environmental influences on blood-injury, social, and agoraphobic fear and investigated their interaction with sex and age. Data of spouses (n = 708) of twins were used to evaluate assortative mating for the three fear dimensions. Results showed that there was no assortative mating for blood-injury, social and agoraphobic fear. Resemblance between biological relatives could be explained by additive and...

[Regular Research Articles] Use of Benzodiazepines and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Middle-Aged and Older Adults With Anxiety Disorders: A Longitudinal and Prospective Study

Am J Geriatr Psychiatry — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Although there was an increase in SSRI/SNRI use in older participants with anxiety disorders over the course of study, at nine years of follow-up, only 35% of participants were utilizing SSRI/SNRI medication, while more than one-half of the same participants were continuing to use BZs. To the authors’ knowledge, there are no randomized clinical trials that have addressed comparative efficacy and safety of BZs and SSRIs/SNRIs in this population. However, there is documented evidence of adverse effects of chronic BZ use and the risk of developing dependency in older populations. (Source: Am J Geriatr Psychiatry)

Sensitization of catastrophic cognition in cognitive-behavioral therapy for panic disorder

BioMed Central — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Panic patients who would experience sensitization of their catastrophic cognitions through the CBT treatment could nonetheless gradually improve. They showed a relatively low level of catastrophic cognition and anticipatory anxiety before starting the CBT program. We might conclude that temporary sensitization of catastrophic cognition may be necessary before improvement especially among those with initially low catastrophic body sensation fears and that we need not be concerned too much with temporary increase in catastrophic cognition in the process of CBT for panic disorder. (Source: BioMed Central)

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[ORIGINAL RESEARCH REPORTS] Chronic Obstructive Lung Diseases and Prevalence of Mood, Anxiety, and Substance-Use Disorders in a Large Population Sample

Psychosomatics — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 05:00:00 +0100

Only a few population-based studies have examined prevalence of mental disorder in people with chronic respiratory conditions. Clinical studies have yielded mixed results. In this analysis, data from the 2002 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) were used. This was a national health survey that included administration of the World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview to a sample of 36,984 subjects. Participants were asked about chronic medical conditions that had been diagnosed by a health professional. Chronic respiratory conditions were associated with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, panic disorder (including agoraphobia), social phobia, and substance dependence. Although the observed associations were statistically highly significant, the prevalence...

Course of panic disorder during the early postpartum period: a prospective analysis.

Comprehensive Psychiatry — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 14:05:37 +0100

CONCLUSION: Our study results suggest that pregnant women with PD may experience a marked improvement in PD symptoms in the early postpartum period. PMID: 18063038 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Comprehensive Psychiatry)

Non-medical use, abuse and dependence on prescription opioids among U.S. adults: Psychiatric, medical and substance use correlates.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Non-medical use of prescription opioids is common. Furthermore, nearly 13% of those with non-medical use meet criteria for abuse/dependence. Panic, social phobia and agoraphobia, low self-rated health status, and other substance misuse among those with non-medical use of prescription opioids should alert clinicians to screen for abuse and dependence. PMID: 18063321 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)

Cancer, mental disorders, suicidal ideation and attempts in a large community sample

Psycho-Oncology — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 05:00:00 +0100

Platelet 18 kDa Translocator Protein density is reduced in depressed patients with adult separation anxiety.

European Neuropsychopharmacology — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The reduction of platelet TSPO density in our sample of patients with depression was specifically related to the presence of ASAD. These data suggest that TSPO expression evaluation is a useful biological marker of ASAD. PMID: 18054208 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology)

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Differential familial liability of panic disorder and agoraphobia

Depression and Anxiety — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Depression and Anxiety)

Levels of anxiety and sources of stress in adults with autism

Journal of Intellectual Disabilities — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 05:00:00 +0100

Clinical reports suggest that anxiety is a pertinent issue for adults with autism. We compared 34 adults with autism with 20 adults with intellectual disabilities, utilizing informant-based measures of anxiety and stress. Groups were matched by age, gender and intellectual ability. Adults with autism were almost three times more anxious than the comparison group and gained significantly higher scores on the anxiety subscales of panic and agoraphobia, separation anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. In terms of sources of stress, significant differences between the two groups were also found, and stress was found to correlate with high anxiety levels for the autism group, particularly the ability to cope with change, anticipation, sensory stimuli and unple...

Women Share Hope For Anxiety Disorder Sufferers

Anxiety News From Medical News Today — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 08:00:00 +0100

An agoraphobic who hid her panic disorder from her family for more than 20 years, Clark was convinced she would have a major panic attack and faint during the celebration, ruining her daughter's wedding. People with agoraphobia avoid public places such as shopping malls and sports arenas because they fear or anticipate they will have a panic attack and would not be able to quickly escape. [click link for full article] (Source: Anxiety News From Medical News Today)

Examining a dimensional representation of depression and anxiety disorders' comorbidity in psychiatric outpatients with item response modeling.

Journal of Abnormal Psychology — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 12:12:11 +0100

The current study replicated, in a sample of 2,300 outpatients seeking psychiatric treatment, a previous study (R. F. Krueger & M. S. Finger, 2001) that implemented an item response theory approach for modeling the comorbidity of common mood and anxiety disorders as indicators along the continuum of a shared latent factor (internalizing). The 5 disorders examined were major depressive disorder, social phobia, panic disorder/agoraphobia, specific phobia, and generalized anxiety disorder. The findings were consistent with the prior research. First, a confirmatory factor analysis yielded sufficient evidence for a nonspecific factor underlying the 5 diagnostic indicators. Second, a 2-parameter logistic item response model showed that the diagnoses were represented in the upper half of the inte...

[Articles] Low Extraversion and High Neuroticism as Indices of Genetic and Environmental Risk for Social Phobia, Agoraphobia, and Animal Phobia

Am J Psychiatry — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Genetic factors that influence individual variation in extraversion and neuroticism appear to account entirely for the genetic liability to social phobia and agoraphobia, but not animal phobia. These findings underline the importance of both introversion (low extraversion) and neuroticism in some psychiatric disorders. (Source: Am J Psychiatry)

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[Phobic orthostatic insecurity]

Acta Otorrinolaringologica Espanola — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The statistical analysis showed a symptomatic concordance within the group analyzed, a syndromic equivalence between patients and satisfactory results with the antidepressive treatments (94 %), thus confirming the diagnostic and aetiopathogenic hypotheses for the disorder and, later, providing a logical method for diagnosis. The authors propose to assimilate this diagnostic protocol (and therapeutic when no specialist psychotherapy teams are available) to most of the psychogenic insecurity syndromes described. PMID: 17999903 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Acta Otorrinolaringologica Espanola)

Cognitive style, alprazolam plasma levels, and treatment response in panic disorder

Depression and Anxiety — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 04:00:00 +0100

This study investigated an anxiety-prone cognitive style (measured by the Anxious Thoughts and Tendencies Questionnaire, AT&T) as a predictor of the acute response to increasing alprazolam plasma levels in panic disorder. Panic disorder patients (n=26) were treated with escalating doses of alprazolam for 4 weeks, then a fixed dose of 1 mg four times a day for 4 weeks. At 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 weeks, trough alprazolam plasma levels; clinical, self-report, and performance measures; and vital signs were assessed. Panic attack data were from daily diaries. The repeated response measures were analyzed in relation to alprazolam plasma levels using SAS GENMOD, with patients classified as high or low on the baseline AT&T. Panic attacks, anticipatory anxiety, fear, avoidance, overall agoraphobia,...

Comorbid depression, but not comorbid anxiety disorders, predicts poor outcome in anxiety disorders

Depression and Anxiety — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:00:00 +0100

Influence of type of comorbidity was studied over the course of 1 year in a sample of 141 outpatients with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia and generalized anxiety disorder, who were receiving different forms of cognitive behavior therapy. Influence of type of comorbidity was determined on the basis of change scores (linear regression analysis) and remission data (Kaplan-Meier survival analysis). Three categories, as assessed at baseline, were compared: no comorbidity, comorbidity among anxiety disorders, and comorbidity with mood disorders. Primary outcome variable: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory State subscale measured at four assessments (0, 12, 24, and 52 weeks). Analyses of change and remission indicated that comorbidity with mood disorders led to (i) less improvement and (ii...

Different patterns of freezing behavior organized in the periaqueductal gray of rats: Association with different types of anxiety.

Behavioural Brain Research — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Brandão ML, Zanoveli JM, Ruiz-Martinez RC, Oliveira LC, Landeira-Fernandez J Freezing defined as the complete absence of body movements is a normal response of animals to unavoidable fear stimuli. The present review presents a series of evidence relating different defensive patterns with specific anxiety disorders. There are at least four different kinds of freezing with specific neural substrates. The immobility induced by stimulation of the ventral column of the periaqueductal gray (vPAG) has been considered a quiescence characteristic of the recovery component of defense-recuperative processes. There is an isomorphism between freezing response to contextual stimuli paired with electrical shocks and generalized anxiety disorder. Besides, two types of freezing emerge wit...