Anxiety symptoms across twenty-years in schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder

Anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders are common in both mood and psychotic disorders. However, limited comparative information exists regarding the long-term course of anxiety in schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. Prospective evaluation of the 20-year trajectory of self-reported anxiety and somatic-related anxiety in three major diagnostic groups, 43 schizoaffective patients, 47 bipolar patients, and 109 major depression patients was conducted. The patients were recruited at an index phase of hospitalization, and then reassessed longitudinally at six subsequent follow-ups over 20-years. The sample was well characterized with symptom, recovery and functioning data being available. This study found that in the earlier years of illness, self-reported anxiety was greater in schizoaffective and major depression patients than bipolar patients. The three groups were similar for anxiety symptoms during the 20-year course of their illness. Last, we found in all patients, self-reported anxiety in the early years predicted having a period of recovery and lower global functioning in the future. Our data provides unique information regarding the comparative course of anxiety in related mood and psychotic disorders. Both clinicians and researchers should focus on assessing, diagnosing, and treating anxiety in mood and psychotic disorders, as a means to improve outcomes and quality of life in these individuals.