Outcome of dysthymic disorder at 5-year follow-up: the effect of familial psychopathology, early adversity, personality, comorbidity, and chronic stress.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

This study sought to identify predictors of course and outcome in dysthymic disorder.

METHOD:

Eighty-six outpatients with early-onset dysthymic disorder (before age 21) participated in a prospective 5-year follow-up study. Family history of psychopathology, early home environment, axis I and II comorbidity, social support, and chronic stress were assessed at baseline. The Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale were used in the follow-up assessments conducted at 30 and 60 months.

RESULTS:

Post-traumatic stress disorder: findings from the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Well-being.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

We report on the epidemiology of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the Australian community, including information on lifetime exposure to trauma, 12-month prevalence of PTSD, sociodemographic correlates and co-morbidity.

METHODS:

Medically unexplained symptoms--GPs' attitudes towards their cause and management.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Medically unexplained physical symptoms present one of the most common problems in modern medical practice but often prove difficult to manage. The central position of the GP in the care of patients with medically unexplained symptoms has been emphasized repeatedly, but little is known about the attitudes of GPs to this role. Understanding how GPs view these patients may inform the development of effective strategies for management.

OBJECTIVE:

Defensive coping styles in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The cognitive-behavioral model of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) proposes that rigidly held beliefs act to defend individuals against low self-esteem. This study is the first to investigate the prevalence of a potential mechanism, the Defensive High Anxious coping style, among individuals with CFS.

METHODS:

Relationship between depression and other medical illnesses.

Depression occurring in the setting of a nonpsychiatric medical illness is often considered to be a psychological reaction. Clinicians attribute the patient's feelings of vulnerability, fear, and diminished self-esteem to the onset of a severe illness. However, recent data have forced reconsideration of this belief and new models of the relationship between depression and other medical illnesses have emerged. Compelling evidence suggests that depression is an independent risk factor that contributes to the development of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and increases cardiac mortality.

How general practice patients with emotional problems presenting with somatic or psychological symptoms explain their improvement.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The emotional problems of patients presenting only somatic symptoms are frequently not detected by general practitioners (GPs), yet clinical outcomes have often been found to be no different from emotional problems directly presented.

AIM:

To compare clinical outcomes and attributions for improvement of patients with emotional problems presenting only somatic symptoms to GPs, with patients directly presenting emotional problems.

DESIGN OF STUDY:

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