Differences between smokers and nonsmokers with anxiety disorders.
Epidemiological data suggest that early smoking increases the risk for emergence of certain anxiety disorders (e.g., panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)), and that presence of certain anxiety disorders (e.g., social anxiety) increases the risk for later development of nicotine dependence. Although some studies report a high prevalence of smoking among anxiety disorders, the extent to which smokers with anxiety disorders differ from their nonsmoking counterparts remains uncertain. Differences between smokers and nonsmokers with anxiety disorders (N=527) were examined with respect to multiple measures of theoretical and clinical interest. Compared to nonsmokers, smokers with anxiety disorders reported greater anxiety sensitivity, anxiety symptoms, agoraphobic avoidance, depressed mood, negative affect, stress and life interference; however, these differences were largely accounted for by panic disorder. No differences were found between smokers and nonsmokers regarding social anxiety, worry, obsessive-compulsive symptoms or positive affect. Differential patterns were observed when evaluating constructs within anxiety disorder diagnoses.
Morissette
Sandra Baker
SB
VA Boston Healthcare System, Psychology Service, 116B, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130, USA. sandra.morissette@med.va.gov
Brown
Timothy A
TA
Kamholz
Barbara Wolfsdorf
BW
Gulliver
Suzy Bird
SB
D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires