Comorbid anxiety in patients with psychosis.
A diagnosis of psychosis has tended to discount the considerable degree of emotional disorder associated with it, in a manner that may also inform psychological treatment options. Depression and anxiety are often associated with schizophrenia. Up to 40% of people have clinical levels of depression and anxiety symptoms could occur in 60% of patients with chronic psychotic disorder. Among emotional problems depression and depressive symptoms are well recognised and treated with success, whereas anxiety is a less known phenomenon and has not been studied as much as depression. Comorbid anxiety disorders or symptoms (social phobia, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder) occur in patients with psychosis in the same way as in patients who have only anxiety disorder. This comorbidity adversely affects outcome, and it may also reflect on processes underlying the development of psychotic symptoms. The present review highlights some major characteristics of anxiety and psychosis and also some aspects of coping and treatment strategies for anxiety in patients with psychosis.
Educational and Research Institute Ozara Ljubljana (IRIO), 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. mojca.dernovsek@ozara.org
Mojca Zvezdana
MZ
Dernovsek
Lilijana
L
Sprah
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003469:Culture; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents