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A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

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Comorbidity in anxiety disorders.

Kathleen Ries Merikangas¹, Sonja Alsemgeest Swanson

¹Genetic Epidemiology Research Branch, Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, 35 Convent Drive, MSC#3720, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. Kathleen.Merikangas@nih.gov

Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences

|February 11, 2011

Summary

Psychiatric comorbidity is common in anxiety disorders across all age groups. This review explores comorbidity patterns, including genetic links and co-occurring medical conditions, to understand their implications.

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Area of Science:

Psychiatry
Epidemiology
Genetics

Background:

The concept of comorbidity, defined as coexisting medical or psychiatric conditions, has been extensively studied since its introduction.
Understanding comorbidity is crucial for effective patient care and disease management.

Purpose of the Study:

To review psychiatric comorbidity in anxiety disorders using adult and child/adolescent population-based studies.
To present findings from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R).
To examine comorbidity evidence from family/genetic studies and its association with medical conditions.

Main Methods:

Systematic review of population-based studies on psychiatric comorbidity in anxiety disorders.
Analysis of data from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R).
Synthesis of evidence from family, genetic, and medical comorbidity studies.

Main Results:

Anxiety disorders frequently co-occur with other psychiatric conditions in both adults and youth.
The National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R) provides significant data on these co-occurrences.
Comorbidity patterns suggest potential etiological links and implications for diagnostic redefinition.

Conclusions:

Psychiatric comorbidity is a significant feature of anxiety disorders, impacting various age groups.
Further research into comorbidity patterns, including genetic and medical associations, is warranted.
Understanding these complex relationships may necessitate a re-evaluation of current diagnostic frameworks.