Recent items - Depression and Anxiety
Trauma‐focused cognitive behavioral therapy for children: impact of the trauma narrative and treatment length
09/09/2010 12:49
Background: Child sexual abuse (CSA) is associated with the development of a variety of mental health disorders, and Trauma‐Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF‐CBT) is an established treatment for children who have experienced CSA. However, there are questions about how many TF‐CBT sessions should be delivered to achieve clinical efficacy and whether a trauma narrative (TN) component is essential. This study examined the differential effects of TF‐CBT with or without the TN component in 8 v [...]
09/09/2010 12:49
Background: Child sexual abuse (CSA) is associated with the development of a variety of mental health disorders, and Trauma‐Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF‐CBT) is an established treatment for children who have experienced CSA. However, there are questions about how many TF‐CBT sessions should be delivered to achieve clinical efficacy and whether a trauma narrative (TN) component is essential. This study examined the differential effects of TF‐CBT with or without the TN component in 8 v [...]
A review of empirically supported psychological therapies for mood disorders in adults
09/09/2010 12:49
Background: The mood disorders are prevalent and problematic. We review randomized controlled psychotherapy trials to find those that are empirically supported with respect to acute symptom reduction and the prevention of subsequent relapse and recurrence. Methods: We searched the PsycINFO and PubMed databases and the reference sections of chapters and journal articles to identify appropriate articles. Results: One hundred twenty‐five studies were found evaluating treatment efficacy for the vari [...]
09/09/2010 12:49
Background: The mood disorders are prevalent and problematic. We review randomized controlled psychotherapy trials to find those that are empirically supported with respect to acute symptom reduction and the prevention of subsequent relapse and recurrence. Methods: We searched the PsycINFO and PubMed databases and the reference sections of chapters and journal articles to identify appropriate articles. Results: One hundred twenty‐five studies were found evaluating treatment efficacy for the vari [...]
The contribution of precipitants to depression onset, diagnostic sub‐type, and treatment paradigm: a “mix and match” model
01/09/2010 21:41
01/09/2010 21:41
Depressive and anxiety disorders and the association with obesity, physical, and social activities
23/08/2010 18:07
23/08/2010 18:07
Accelerated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for treatment‐resistant depression
23/08/2010 18:07
23/08/2010 18:07
Virtual reality exposure therapy in anxiety disorders: a systematic review of process‐and‐outcome studies
23/08/2010 18:07
23/08/2010 18:07
Pilot trial of dialectical behavior therapy‐enhanced habit reversal for trichotillomania
18/08/2010 15:47
18/08/2010 15:47
Posttraumatic stress and social anxiety: the interaction of traumatic events and interpersonal fears
18/08/2010 15:47
18/08/2010 15:47
Relationship between respiratory, endocrine, and cognitive‐emotional factors in response to a pharmacological panicogen
18/08/2010 15:47
18/08/2010 15:47
Does PTSD moderate the relationship between social support and suicide risk in Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans seeking mental health treatment?
18/08/2010 15:47
18/08/2010 15:47
The feelings club: randomized controlled evaluation of school‐based CBT for anxious or depressive symptoms
17/08/2010 03:11
17/08/2010 03:11
The role of rape tactics in risk for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depression: results from a national sample of college women
17/08/2010 03:11
Background: College women are at high risk for substance‐involved rape. However, most studies have focused on forcible rape and have not differentiated these tactics from tactics that involve drug or alcohol intoxication. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of lifetime exposure to forcible rape (FR), incapacitated rape (IR), and drug–alcohol facilitated rape (DAFR) tactics on risk for PTSD and depression. A secondary purpose was to examine the role of different incident charac [...]
17/08/2010 03:11
Background: College women are at high risk for substance‐involved rape. However, most studies have focused on forcible rape and have not differentiated these tactics from tactics that involve drug or alcohol intoxication. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of lifetime exposure to forcible rape (FR), incapacitated rape (IR), and drug–alcohol facilitated rape (DAFR) tactics on risk for PTSD and depression. A secondary purpose was to examine the role of different incident charac [...]
Effect of gender on processing threat‐related stimuli in patients with panic disorder: sex does matter
17/08/2010 03:11
17/08/2010 03:11
Development and initial validation of the obsessive belief questionnaire‐child version (OBQ‐CV)
09/08/2010 01:51
09/08/2010 01:51
Previous experience of spontaneous or elective abortion and risk for posttraumatic stress and depression during subsequent pregnancy
09/08/2010 01:51
Background: Few studies have considered whether elective and/or spontaneous abortion (EAB/SAB) may be risk factors for mental health sequelae in subsequent pregnancy. This paper examines the impact of EAB/SAB on mental health during subsequent pregnancy in a sample of women involved in a larger prospective study of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) across the childbearing year (n=1,581). Methods: Women expecting their first baby completed standardized telephone assessments including demograph [...]
09/08/2010 01:51
Background: Few studies have considered whether elective and/or spontaneous abortion (EAB/SAB) may be risk factors for mental health sequelae in subsequent pregnancy. This paper examines the impact of EAB/SAB on mental health during subsequent pregnancy in a sample of women involved in a larger prospective study of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) across the childbearing year (n=1,581). Methods: Women expecting their first baby completed standardized telephone assessments including demograph [...]
Interaction of chronic stress with serotonin transporter and catechol‐O‐methyltransferase polymorphisms in predicting youth depression
09/08/2010 01:51
Background: Investigations of gene–environment interaction (G×E) in depression have implicated a polymorphism in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5‐HTTLPR) as a moderator of the stress–depression relationship. However, recent evidence for 5‐HTTLPR G×E in depression has been inconsistent. This study examined the moderating effect of the val158met polymorphism in the catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) gene on the strength of 5‐HTTLPR G×E. Methods: A community sample of youth [...]
09/08/2010 01:51
Background: Investigations of gene–environment interaction (G×E) in depression have implicated a polymorphism in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5‐HTTLPR) as a moderator of the stress–depression relationship. However, recent evidence for 5‐HTTLPR G×E in depression has been inconsistent. This study examined the moderating effect of the val158met polymorphism in the catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) gene on the strength of 5‐HTTLPR G×E. Methods: A community sample of youth [...]
Life events in panic disorder—an update on “candidate stressors”
08/08/2010 20:51
Studies on gene–environment interactions in mental disorders are characterized by powerful genetic techniques and well defined “candidate genes,” whereas a definition of “candidate stressors,” in most cases assessed in the form of life events (LEs), is inconsistent or not even provided. This review addresses this problem, with particular attention to the clinical phenotype of panic disorder (PD), by providing an overview and critical discussion for which life events are known to contribute to th [...]
08/08/2010 20:51
Studies on gene–environment interactions in mental disorders are characterized by powerful genetic techniques and well defined “candidate genes,” whereas a definition of “candidate stressors,” in most cases assessed in the form of life events (LEs), is inconsistent or not even provided. This review addresses this problem, with particular attention to the clinical phenotype of panic disorder (PD), by providing an overview and critical discussion for which life events are known to contribute to th [...]
The use of alcohol and drugs to self‐medicate symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder
08/08/2010 20:51
Background: Self‐medication has been proposed as an explanation for the high rates of comorbidity between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders; however, knowledge of self‐medication in PTSD is scarce. We describe the prevalence and correlates of self‐medication in PTSD in the general population. Methods: Data came from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions Wave 2 (N=34,653; response rate: 70.2%), a nationally representative survey of ment [...]
08/08/2010 20:51
Background: Self‐medication has been proposed as an explanation for the high rates of comorbidity between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders; however, knowledge of self‐medication in PTSD is scarce. We describe the prevalence and correlates of self‐medication in PTSD in the general population. Methods: Data came from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions Wave 2 (N=34,653; response rate: 70.2%), a nationally representative survey of ment [...]
Association of the serotonin transporter promoter region polymorphism with biased attention for negative word stimuli
08/08/2010 20:51
Background: Biased attention for emotional stimuli reflects vulnerability or resilience to emotional disorders. The current study examines whether the 5‐HTTLPR polymorphism is associated with attentional biases for negative word stimuli. Methods: Unmedicated, young adults with low current depression and anxiety symptoms (N=106) were genotyped for the 5‐HTTLPR, including the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs25531 in the long allele of the 5‐HTTLPR. Participants then completed a standard dot [...]
08/08/2010 20:51
Background: Biased attention for emotional stimuli reflects vulnerability or resilience to emotional disorders. The current study examines whether the 5‐HTTLPR polymorphism is associated with attentional biases for negative word stimuli. Methods: Unmedicated, young adults with low current depression and anxiety symptoms (N=106) were genotyped for the 5‐HTTLPR, including the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs25531 in the long allele of the 5‐HTTLPR. Participants then completed a standard dot [...]
Impact of the HTR3A gene with early life trauma on emotional brain networks and depressed mood
08/08/2010 20:51
Background: The risk for mental illnesses such as depression is increasingly conceptualized as the product of gene–environment interactions and their impact on brain structure and function. The role of serotonin 3A receptor gene (HTR3A −42C>T polymorphism) and its interaction with early life stress (ELS) was investigated in view of the receptor's localization to brain regions central to emotion processing. Methods: Fronto‐limbic grey matter (GM) loss was measured using magnetic resonance imaging [...]
08/08/2010 20:51
Background: The risk for mental illnesses such as depression is increasingly conceptualized as the product of gene–environment interactions and their impact on brain structure and function. The role of serotonin 3A receptor gene (HTR3A −42C>T polymorphism) and its interaction with early life stress (ELS) was investigated in view of the receptor's localization to brain regions central to emotion processing. Methods: Fronto‐limbic grey matter (GM) loss was measured using magnetic resonance imaging [...]
A meta‐analytic review of the association between anxiety sensitivity and pain
08/08/2010 20:51
In recent years, anxiety sensitivity (AS) has demonstrated applicability across a wide range of conditions. An area of particular interest has been the association between AS and pain. This study aimed to provide an accounting of the magnitude of this effect across studies of both clinical and nonclinical pain. Forty‐one studies (14 clinical and 27 nonclinical pain) were evaluated in this meta‐analytic review and represented the study of 5,908 participants (2,093 for clinical and 3,815 for noncl [...]
08/08/2010 20:51
In recent years, anxiety sensitivity (AS) has demonstrated applicability across a wide range of conditions. An area of particular interest has been the association between AS and pain. This study aimed to provide an accounting of the magnitude of this effect across studies of both clinical and nonclinical pain. Forty‐one studies (14 clinical and 27 nonclinical pain) were evaluated in this meta‐analytic review and represented the study of 5,908 participants (2,093 for clinical and 3,815 for noncl [...]
Psychological resilience and neurocognitive performance in a traumatized community sample
08/08/2010 20:51
Background: Whether psychological resilience correlates with neurocognitive performance is largely unknown. Therefore, we assessed association between neurocognitive performance and resilience in individuals with a history of childhood abuse or trauma exposure. Methods: In this cross‐sectional study of 226 highly traumatized civilians, we assessed neurocognitive performance, history of childhood abuse and other trauma exposure, and current depressive and PTSD symptoms. Resilience was defined as [...]
08/08/2010 20:51
Background: Whether psychological resilience correlates with neurocognitive performance is largely unknown. Therefore, we assessed association between neurocognitive performance and resilience in individuals with a history of childhood abuse or trauma exposure. Methods: In this cross‐sectional study of 226 highly traumatized civilians, we assessed neurocognitive performance, history of childhood abuse and other trauma exposure, and current depressive and PTSD symptoms. Resilience was defined as [...]
The Attentional Resource Allocation Scale (ARAS): psychometric properties of a composite measure for dissociation and absorption
08/08/2010 20:51
Background: Differences in attentional processes have been linked to the development and maintenance of psychopathology. Shifts in such processes have been described by the constructs Dissociation and Absorption. Dissociation occurs when external and/or internal stimuli are excluded from consciousness due to discrepant, rather than unitary, manifestations of cognitive awareness [Erdelyi MH. 1994: Int J Clin Exp Hypnosis 42:379–390]. In contrast, absorption can be conceptualized by a focus on lim [...]
08/08/2010 20:51
Background: Differences in attentional processes have been linked to the development and maintenance of psychopathology. Shifts in such processes have been described by the constructs Dissociation and Absorption. Dissociation occurs when external and/or internal stimuli are excluded from consciousness due to discrepant, rather than unitary, manifestations of cognitive awareness [Erdelyi MH. 1994: Int J Clin Exp Hypnosis 42:379–390]. In contrast, absorption can be conceptualized by a focus on lim [...]
Depression and obesity: do shared genes explain the relationship?
05/08/2010 13:40
Background: Studies have found a modest association between depression and obesity, especially in women. Given the substantial genetic contribution to both depression and obesity, we sought to determine whether shared genetic influences are responsible for the association between these two conditions. Methods: Data were obtained from 712 monozygotic and 281 dizygotic female twin pairs who are members of the community-based University of Washington Twin Registry. The presence of depression was de [...]
05/08/2010 13:40
Background: Studies have found a modest association between depression and obesity, especially in women. Given the substantial genetic contribution to both depression and obesity, we sought to determine whether shared genetic influences are responsible for the association between these two conditions. Methods: Data were obtained from 712 monozygotic and 281 dizygotic female twin pairs who are members of the community-based University of Washington Twin Registry. The presence of depression was de [...]
The acquired capability for suicide: A comparison of suicide attempters, suicide ideators, and non-suicidal controls
05/08/2010 13:40
Background: The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide states that to make a serious or lethal suicide attempt, a person must experience reductions in fear and pain sensitivity sufficient to overcome self preservation reflexes (i.e., the acquired capability for suicide). The purpose of this study was to examine the fearlessness component of the acquired capability for suicide using self-report assessment instruments and an objective measure of aversion (the affectively modulated startle reflex task). M [...]
05/08/2010 13:40
Background: The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide states that to make a serious or lethal suicide attempt, a person must experience reductions in fear and pain sensitivity sufficient to overcome self preservation reflexes (i.e., the acquired capability for suicide). The purpose of this study was to examine the fearlessness component of the acquired capability for suicide using self-report assessment instruments and an objective measure of aversion (the affectively modulated startle reflex task). M [...]
Deconstructing acrophobia: physiological and psychological precursors to developing a fear of heights
05/08/2010 13:40
Background: Acrophobia is one of the most prevalent phobias, affecting as many as 1 in 20 individuals. Of course, heights often evoke fear in the general population too, and this suggests that acrophobia might actually represent the hypersensitive manifestation of an everyday, rational fear. In this study, we assessed the role of sensory and cognitive variables in Acrophobia. Methods: Forty-five participants (Mean age 25.07 years, 71% female) were assessed using a booklet with self-reports as we [...]
05/08/2010 13:40
Background: Acrophobia is one of the most prevalent phobias, affecting as many as 1 in 20 individuals. Of course, heights often evoke fear in the general population too, and this suggests that acrophobia might actually represent the hypersensitive manifestation of an everyday, rational fear. In this study, we assessed the role of sensory and cognitive variables in Acrophobia. Methods: Forty-five participants (Mean age 25.07 years, 71% female) were assessed using a booklet with self-reports as we [...]
Course of compulsive hoarding and its relationship to life events
05/08/2010 13:40
Background: Compulsive hoarding is a common and debilitating, yet poorly understood, condition characterized by excessive acquisition of and failure to discard a large number of objects, resulting in cluttered and often hazardous living conditions. The aim of this study was to examine the onset and course of compulsive hoarding, and the relationships between stressful or traumatic life events and course of illness. Methods: Seven hundred fifty-one adults with self-reported hoarding symptoms comp [...]
05/08/2010 13:40
Background: Compulsive hoarding is a common and debilitating, yet poorly understood, condition characterized by excessive acquisition of and failure to discard a large number of objects, resulting in cluttered and often hazardous living conditions. The aim of this study was to examine the onset and course of compulsive hoarding, and the relationships between stressful or traumatic life events and course of illness. Methods: Seven hundred fifty-one adults with self-reported hoarding symptoms comp [...]
Unipolar depression does not moderate responses to the Sweet Taste Test
05/08/2010 13:40
Background: The Sweet Taste Test (STT) measures hedonic responses to sweet tastes and has been linked to both alcoholism and to a family history of alcoholism. However, STT response profiles in unipolar major depressive disorder (MDD), a disorder characterized by anhedonia, have been minimally investigated. Methods: Twelve adults with and 15 adults without MDD participated in two identical STT assessments separated by approximately 12 weeks. Between assessments, MDD outpatients received Behavior [...]
05/08/2010 13:40
Background: The Sweet Taste Test (STT) measures hedonic responses to sweet tastes and has been linked to both alcoholism and to a family history of alcoholism. However, STT response profiles in unipolar major depressive disorder (MDD), a disorder characterized by anhedonia, have been minimally investigated. Methods: Twelve adults with and 15 adults without MDD participated in two identical STT assessments separated by approximately 12 weeks. Between assessments, MDD outpatients received Behavior [...]
The relationship between anxiety disorders and suicide attempts: findings from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions
05/08/2010 13:40
Background: Previous work has suggested that anxiety disorders are associated with suicide attempts. However, many studies have been limited by lack of accounting for factors that could influence this relationship, notably personality disorders. This study aims to examine the relationship between anxiety disorders and suicide attempts, accounting for important comorbidities, in a large nationally representative sample. Methods: Data came from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Rela [...]
05/08/2010 13:40
Background: Previous work has suggested that anxiety disorders are associated with suicide attempts. However, many studies have been limited by lack of accounting for factors that could influence this relationship, notably personality disorders. This study aims to examine the relationship between anxiety disorders and suicide attempts, accounting for important comorbidities, in a large nationally representative sample. Methods: Data came from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Rela [...]
Characteristics and predictors of social phobia course in a longitudinal study of primary-care patients
05/08/2010 13:40
Background: Social Phobia (SP) is a prevalent disorder in primary-care settings. To date, few researchers have examined the natural course of SP in primary care. We examined the natural course and predictors of recovery in a large sample of primary-care patients. Methods: Data are obtained from the Primary Care Anxiety Project, a naturalistic, longitudinal study of anxiety disorders in primary-care patients. This report pertains to 182 patients with SP at intake. We examined intake demographic a [...]
05/08/2010 13:40
Background: Social Phobia (SP) is a prevalent disorder in primary-care settings. To date, few researchers have examined the natural course of SP in primary care. We examined the natural course and predictors of recovery in a large sample of primary-care patients. Methods: Data are obtained from the Primary Care Anxiety Project, a naturalistic, longitudinal study of anxiety disorders in primary-care patients. This report pertains to 182 patients with SP at intake. We examined intake demographic a [...]
Obesity and depression symptoms in the Beaver Dam Offspring Study population
05/08/2010 13:40
Background: Depression and obesity are both important public health problems. However, it is not clear whether obesity contributes to depression. Our study aims to evaluate the association between obesity and possible depression. Methods: During the Beaver Dam Offspring Study examination, participants' body weight and height were measured with a Detecto 758C digital scale with height bar, and depression symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) Scale. [...]
05/08/2010 13:40
Background: Depression and obesity are both important public health problems. However, it is not clear whether obesity contributes to depression. Our study aims to evaluate the association between obesity and possible depression. Methods: During the Beaver Dam Offspring Study examination, participants' body weight and height were measured with a Detecto 758C digital scale with height bar, and depression symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) Scale. [...]
Quality of web-based information on depression
05/08/2010 13:40
Background: Although some studies have already been done on the quality of websites on depression, they have mainly focused on content quality, and were mostly carried out about a decade ago. The main aim of this work was thus to examine the quality of current websites on depression through the use of several indicators. Methods: Three keywords on depression were entered into a popular search engine. Websites were evaluated on accountability, interactivity, esthetics, readability, and content qu [...]
05/08/2010 13:40
Background: Although some studies have already been done on the quality of websites on depression, they have mainly focused on content quality, and were mostly carried out about a decade ago. The main aim of this work was thus to examine the quality of current websites on depression through the use of several indicators. Methods: Three keywords on depression were entered into a popular search engine. Websites were evaluated on accountability, interactivity, esthetics, readability, and content qu [...]
Validity of a simpler definition of major depressive disorder
05/08/2010 13:39
Background: In previous reports from the Rhode Island Methods to Improve Diagnostic Assessment and Services project, we developed a briefer definition of major depressive disorder (MDD), and found high levels of agreement between the simplified and DSM-IV definitions of MDD. The goal of the present study was to examine the validity of the simpler definition of MDD. We hypothesized that compared to patients with adjustment disorder, patients with MDD would be more severely depressed, have poorer [...]
05/08/2010 13:39
Background: In previous reports from the Rhode Island Methods to Improve Diagnostic Assessment and Services project, we developed a briefer definition of major depressive disorder (MDD), and found high levels of agreement between the simplified and DSM-IV definitions of MDD. The goal of the present study was to examine the validity of the simpler definition of MDD. We hypothesized that compared to patients with adjustment disorder, patients with MDD would be more severely depressed, have poorer [...]
Executive control of attention in individuals with contamination-related obsessive-compulsive symptoms
05/08/2010 13:39
Background: In this study, we examined executive control of attention in individuals with contamination-related obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms using a modified version of the Eriksen flanker task. The task indexes one's ability to resolve attentional conflict between different responses and to ignore task distracters. Methods: For this study, we modified the original flanker task using affective words to examine the effect of threat-relevant stimuli on executive control of attention. Consist [...]
05/08/2010 13:39
Background: In this study, we examined executive control of attention in individuals with contamination-related obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms using a modified version of the Eriksen flanker task. The task indexes one's ability to resolve attentional conflict between different responses and to ignore task distracters. Methods: For this study, we modified the original flanker task using affective words to examine the effect of threat-relevant stimuli on executive control of attention. Consist [...]