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Related Experiment Videos

Mood variability in anxiety disorders.

Rudy Bowen1, Marilyn Baetz, Judy Hawkes

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. bowen@duke.usask.ca

Journal of Affective Disorders
|February 7, 2006
PubMed
Summary
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Patients with anxiety disorders exhibit greater mood variability compared to controls. This heightened variability, particularly distressing high moods, is linked to depression, highlighting its significance in anxiety.

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Affective Science

Background:

  • Anxiety disorders are prevalent mental health conditions.
  • Mood variability is a potential but understudied symptom in anxiety.
  • Understanding mood fluctuations is crucial for effective anxiety disorder treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if patients with anxiety disorders experience more mood variability than healthy controls.
  • To differentiate between adaptive and distressing mood states in anxiety.

Main Methods:

  • 28 patients with anxiety disorders and 28 controls completed anxiety, depression, and temperament questionnaires.
  • Participants used Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) to rate moods (low, high, anxious) twice daily for 7 days.
  • Mood variability was quantified using Mean Square Successive Difference (MSSD) and Standard Error of the Mean (SEM).

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Main Results:

  • Anxiety patients showed significantly higher mood variability (MSSD, SEM) for low mood and anxiety.
  • High mood variability (MSSD) correlated with depression (Beck Depression Inventory) and distress (Mood Disorder Questionnaire).
  • Adaptive high mood (hyperthymia) did not correlate with depression, distinguishing it from distressing mood swings.

Conclusions:

  • Patients with anxiety disorders demonstrate increased mood variability compared to controls.
  • A distinction exists between adaptive high mood and distressing, variable high mood associated with depression.
  • Mood variability is a critical, yet often overlooked, component of distress in anxiety disorders.