Anxiety and neurological disorders.
Anxiety disorders occur quite frequently in patients who have neurologic disorders. In fact, several studies show that anxiety disorders occur more frequently than mood disorders in patients with neurologic conditions. Despite high prevalence rates, investigators have neglected the study of anxiety disorders in these patients. Two major reasons for the neglect are the diagnostic hierarchy and exclusion criterion found in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)-III-R and DSM-IV. This article discusses problems in the diagnosis of anxiety disorders in patients with neurologic conditions and presents a brief literature review of the relationship between anxiety and neurologic disorders. In addition, the authors describe the differential diagnosis of anxiety in neurologic conditions and treatment options.
Wise
M G
MG
Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
Rundell
J R
JR
D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000523:psychology*