Contributing factors in the appearance and course of generalized anxiety disorder

Abstract

Background and aims:

Although Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) usually has a chronic course with up sights-down, there are only a few references on the factors which affect the course of the disease. The present study aims to investigate factors which could play a role in the clinical course of GAD.

Methods:

Forty patients -with GAD as diagnosis on Axis-I (DSM-IV)- who attended a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) in Thessaloniki (Greece)- were examined.

Results:

Thirteen of the patients (Group A, 32.5%) reported only one episode of GAD, and the rest of them (Group B, 67.5%) reported chronic course of the disease with multiple episodes. Thirty-eight patients (95%) reported a stressful factor before the beginning of the episodes. There were no statistically significant differences regarding sex, educational level, marital status, stressful life events in general and comorbidity with other disorders on Axis I and II (DSM-IV). However, it was found that patients of Group B reported disturbed relationships with their parents in childhood (p<0.05). Furthermore, they reported more frequently a death or illness of a beloved person during childhood –this difference shows a tendency for statistical significance (0.05<p<0.1).

Conclusions:

Stressful factors play an important role in the appearance of the GAD. The existence of disturbed relationships with the parents in the childhood and the death or illness of a beloved person contribute on the chronic course of the disease.