Prevalence and correlates of anger attacks: a two site study

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Anger attacks have been noted in depression but require further study in other psychiatric disorders.
• Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of anger attacks is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of anger attacks in patients with panic disorder.
• To examine the specificity of anger attacks by comparing their occurrence across panic disorder, other anxiety disorders, and depressive disorders.
• To explore the relationship between anger attacks and demographic/clinical factors.

Main Methods:

• Two studies were conducted with outpatients diagnosed with panic disorder, other anxiety disorders, or depressive disorders.
• Prevalence rates of anger attacks were assessed.
• Associations with depression severity, social anxiety, and personality traits were investigated.

Main Results:

• Approximately one-third of panic disorder patients experienced anger attacks.
• Anger attacks were also prevalent in other anxiety disorders.
• Patients with depressive disorders showed twice the prevalence of anger attacks compared to anxiety patients.
• Anger attacks were associated with higher depression severity, history of major depression, and specific personality disorder traits (Cluster B, C, self-defeating).

Conclusions:

• Anger attacks are not exclusive to panic disorder and are significantly more common in patients with depressive disorders.
• Anger attacks appear to be an associated feature of depression rather than a distinct symptom of anxiety disorders.