title: The general neurotic syndrome: a coaxial diagnosis of anxiety, depression and personality disorder.
abstract: The validity of the general neurotic syndrome, a combination of anxiety, depression and dependent personality disorder, was examined in a 2-year study of outpatients with dysthymic, panic and generalized anxiety disorder diagnosed using a structured interview schedule. The general neurotic syndrome, found in a third of the patients, was associated with greater mental disorder and a significantly worse outcome than patients without the syndrome. It did not, however, predict response to treatment. Further analysis revealed that the general neurotic syndrome was a better predictor of short- and long-term outcome than any other variable apart from initial psychopathology score. It is argued that the syndrome may represent a personality diathesis that makes the individual more vulnerable to both anxiety and depressive symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Psychiatry, St Charles Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tyrer
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Seivewright
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tyrer
mesh_terms: D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004308:Dothiepin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004739:England; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D003975:Diazepam; D004308:Dothiepin