Differentiation of DSM-III-R anxiety disorders by severity of illness and symptom onset sequences.
187 patients were investigated by a structured interview for DSM-III-R and various clinicians' and patients' ratings. A high frequency of comorbidity between different anxiety disorders and between anxiety and depression was found. According to sociodemographic data, various anxiety disorders showed more similarities than differences. Patients with a generalized anxiety disorder showed an earlier age at onset compared to patients with panic disorder as well as a greater severity of illness and comorbidity. Avoidance behavior occurred before, simultaneous with, as well as after the onset of panic disorder.
Scheibe
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G
Mental State Hospital, Haar, FRG.
Albus
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M
D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors