Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
06:19
Induction and Diverse Assessment Indicators of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Published on: September 9, 2022
Symptom overlap in anxiety and multiple sclerosis
Seán Ó Donnchadha1, Teresa Burke, Jessica Bramham
1School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Ireland.
Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
|February 16, 2013
Summary
Self-rated anxiety inventories may misinterpret multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms as anxiety. Specific MS symptoms like unsteadiness on the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) require careful consideration in people with MS (pwMS).
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- The validity of self-rated anxiety inventories for people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) is uncertain.
- Somatic symptoms in MS can overlap with those of anxiety and depression, complicating self-assessment.
- Previous research highlights the need for caution when using self-report depression scales in pwMS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate symptom overlap between anxiety and multiple sclerosis (MS) using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI).
- To assess the appropriateness of the BAI in a group of 33 individuals with MS.
Main Methods:
- Participants with MS underwent a neurological examination.
- The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) was administered to all participants.
- Hierarchical cluster analysis was employed to identify symptom clusters within the BAI responses.
Main Results:
- Hierarchical cluster analysis identified three distinct symptom clusters.
- Symptoms of 'wobbliness' and 'unsteadiness' formed a separate cluster, recognized as common in MS.
- Excluding these MS-specific symptoms (creating a modified BAI) reduced the classification of participants as 'anxious' by 21.21% and altered severity levels for 27.27%.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that certain items on the BAI may reflect MS symptoms rather than anxiety in people with MS.
- Researchers and clinicians should exercise caution when utilizing brief anxiety screening tools in pwMS.
- Similar to depression measures, the interpretation of anxiety inventories in MS requires careful consideration of symptom overlap.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
01:18Anxiety: Overview
Anxiety is a common mental disorder featuring excessive worry, fear, and apprehension, significantly affecting daily life. People with anxiety disorders experience persistent and intense anxiety, interrupting their everyday functioning.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
01:30Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic condition characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry that persists for at least six months, significantly interfering with daily functioning. Unlike situational anxiety, which arises in response to specific stressors, GAD often occurs without a clear cause. Individuals may experience disproportionate worry about work, health, or relationships. For instance, a person might continuously fear poor health despite normal medical evaluations or...
01:28Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might face humiliation, rejection, embarrassment, or negative evaluation. This disorder leads individuals to avoid activities like casual conversations, public speaking, or seemingly simple tasks such as eating, signing documents, or swimming, in public settings. Its impact extends beyond discomfort, often significantly interfering with daily functioning and quality of life.
01:30Stress and Mental Health
Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
01:27Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and sudden minutes-long episodes of intense fear, known as panic attacks. These attacks may feel like heart attacks and often happen without warning or a specific cause. They can include symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, chest pain, trembling, sweating, dizziness, and a sense of helplessness. During a panic attack, individuals may feel as though they are experiencing a heart attack or are in a...