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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

Long-term disability in anxiety disorders

Authors: Sanne M. Hendriks, Jan Spijker, Carmilla M. M. Licht, Florian Hardeveld, Ron de Graaf, Neeltje M. Batelaan, Brenda W. J. H. Penninx, Aartjan T. F. Beekman

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

This longitudinal study aims to investigate differences in long-term disability between social anxiety disorder (SAD), panic disorder with agoraphobia (PDA), panic disorder without agoraphobia (PD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and multiple anxiety disorders (multiple AD), focusing on the effects of different course trajectories (remission, recurrence and chronic course) and specific symptom dimensions (anxiety arousal and avoidance behaviour).

Methods

Data were used from participants with no psychiatric diagnosis (healthy controls, n = 647) or with a current anxiety disorder (SAD, n = 191; PDA, n = 90; PD, n = 84; GAD, n = 110; multiple AD, n = 480). Severity of anxiety arousal and avoidance behaviour symptoms was measured using the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Fear Questionnaire. The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II was used to measure disability.

Results

Long-term disability was most prevalent in participants with SAD and multiple AD, and lowest in PDA and PD. GAD had an intermediate position. Anxiety arousal and avoidance behaviour were associated with more long-term disability in anxiety disorders than course trajectories.

Conclusions

Various anxiety disorders have different disability levels over 4 years of time, therefore diagnostic distinction is important for treatment focus. Anxiety arousal and avoidance behaviour are major predictors for long-term disability in anxiety disorders.
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Metadata
Title
Long-term disability in anxiety disorders
Authors
Sanne M. Hendriks
Jan Spijker
Carmilla M. M. Licht
Florian Hardeveld
Ron de Graaf
Neeltje M. Batelaan
Brenda W. J. H. Penninx
Aartjan T. F. Beekman
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-016-0946-y

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