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Comorbidity and the general neurotic syndrome
1School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
The British Journal of Psychiatry. Supplement
|June 1, 1996
Summary
A general vulnerability factor, linked to high trait anxiety and poor coping, significantly increases the risk for anxiety and depressive disorders. This factor is heritable but treatable, offering avenues for prevention.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Behavioral Genetics
Background:
- Anxiety and depressive disorders frequently co-occur.
- This comorbidity suggests shared underlying causes, either aggregated specific factors or a general vulnerability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the existence and nature of a general vulnerability factor for anxiety and depressive disorders.
- To determine the contribution of this factor to comorbidity across different populations.
Main Methods:
- Review of data from general population symptoms, general population disorders, and patient-treated disorders.
- Analysis of personality trait measures, including trait anxiety and coping styles.
Main Results:
- A general vulnerability factor, characterized by high trait anxiety and poor coping, was identified as a primary cause of anxiety and depressive symptoms/disorders.
- This factor explains a significant portion of the comorbidity observed across all reviewed data sources.
- The vulnerability factor demonstrates substantial genetic influence.
Conclusions:
- A common vulnerability, influenced by genetics and personality traits, underlies anxiety and depressive disorders.
- This vulnerability can be modified through treatment interventions.
- Prevention strategies targeting this factor can reduce disorder incidence.