[Is the anxious patient dependent?].
To answer the question: is the anxious a dependant person, it is necessary to define to what extend behaviour depends on pathology. The difficulty in answering this question relies on the fact that these two phenomenons interact with each other. The comorbidity analysis allows a descriptive point of view. It shows a higher incidence of these troubles when occurring together, compared to a general population. Nevertheless, the comorbidity approach does not give any information on the nature of the links between anxiety and dependence. The causality models depend on the theory they use. Furthermore, unity between anxiety and dependence disorders does not exist; it is then certainly a mistake to consider their link in a unique way. Three main hypothesis are usually used. The neurobiology point of view supposes a link between brain structures, neurofunctioning, anxiety and dependence disorders. Some authors suggest a general addictive propensity of brain functioning, especially in cases of anxiety disorders. Lastly, the psychopathological analysis can be useful in the understanding of dependence behaviour in case of anxiety.
Service de Psychiatrie et de Psychologie Médicale, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris cedex.
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D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003859:Dependent Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*