This review article summarizes the main research findings on the presence of anxiety disorders in individuals with bipolar disorder. It examines the prevalence of comorbid anxiety disorders in bipolar disorder, which is generally high. Moreover, it explores the variations in comorbid anxiety across different subtypes of bipolar disorder. The article also investigates the clinical features, treatment, and prognosis associated with comorbid anxiety in bipolar disorder. It reveals that bipolar patients with comorbid anxiety exhibit complex clinical features, worse treatment outcomes, and a poorer prognosis. Given the significant impact of comorbid anxiety on clinical features, treatment outcomes, and prognosis, it is crucial to address this issue when treating individuals with bipolar disorder. Therefore, further research on the treatment of co-occurring anxiety in bipolar disorder patients is warranted.

Objective : The purpose of this study is to compare the signal obtained from the frontal 2-electrodes EEG with that obtained from the temporal, central, and parietal 2 electrodes. Methods : EEGs were recorded in a total of 67 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), 104 patients with schizophrenia (SCZ), and 29 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). For each disease group, there were healthy controls (HC) that were paired accordingly (HC1=69, HC2=104, HC3=27). The following measurements were compared across electrodes: band power, alpha peak frequency (APF), APF power, alpha asymmetry (AA), and Kolmogorov complexity (KC). Results : Statistically significant differences were found in band power measured from frontal electrodes compared to electrodes placed in other locations. Specifically, the power of theta waves was measured higher in the temporal electorodes, alpha 1 and alpha 2 waves in the parietal, beta 1 and beta 2 in the central, and gamma waves in the temporal electrodes. Both SCZ and AD patients showed increased theta power in all electrodes. In SCZ patients, APF decreased in the central and temporal electrodes, but the APF power analysis showed no difference between the patients and controls. Additionally, AD patients exhibited increased AA in the central EEG, while SCZ patients showed decreased KC in the parietal and temporal electrodes. Conclusion : Depending on the electrode location, sensitive EEG frequencies differed. Compared with signals from other electrodes, frontal EEG in MDD patients revealed generally constant signal values, though the temporo-parieto-central electrodes appeared to be more reliable in SCZ and AD patients.

Objective : The objective of this study is to create questionnaires for Social Capital (SCQ) and Built Environment (BEQ) that can be utilized as protective factors for mental health. Methods : A total of 426 adults aged 18 or older, residing in 'D' Metropolitan City in Korea, were included as subjects in this study. Data for subjective evaluation of social capital and built environment were collected through an online survey. Various statistical analyses, such as reliability analysis, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and correlation analysis between PHQ-9 and GAD-7, were conducted. Results : The Cronbach's α values for SCQ and BEQ were 0.94 and 0.90, respectively, indicating good reliability. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that SCQ consisted of 4 factors, explaining a total of 71.91%, while BEQ consisted of 4 factors, explaining a total of 62.18%. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that both questionnaires had a reasonable configuration, with TLI, CFI, and RMSEA values at an appropriate level. Additionally, both SCQ and BEQ showed negative correlations with depression and anxiety. Conclusion : This study has developed a tool for measuring social capital and the built environment in Korea. It also demonstrates the reliability and validity of this questionnaire. The use of this tool could greatly support preventive mental health interventions within the community.

Objective : Cognitive fusion, or believability, in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), refers to the tendency to become entangled in one's thoughts or feelings. It is an important factor in the development and maintenance of anxiety disorders. However, there is a lack of validated self-report measures for cognitive fusion and defusion, particularly for individuals with anxiety. To address this gap, this study aimed to evaluate the Korean Version of Believability of Anxious Feelings and Thoughts Questionnaire (K-BAFT). Methods : A total of 608 university students and 85 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) took part in this study. They were asked to complete various psychological measures, including the K-BAFT, other measures of ACT processes, and symptom scales. The researchers then analyzed the psychometric characteristics of the K-BAFT. Results : The results of the exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the three-factor structure of the K-BAFT, which was reported in the original study, was also found in the university sample. Additionally, both the student and the OCD group demonstrated strong internal consistency (α=0.86 and 0.91, respectively). In the university sample, the K-BAFT showed a strong correlation with the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (r_s=0.53, p<0.001). However, it had a weak correlation with symptoms scales for depression, anxiety, and stress (all r_s<0.32). Furthermore, the OCD group had higher scores on the K-BAFT compared to the university sample. Conclusion : K-BAFT is considered to be a reliable and valid self-report tool for measuring cognitive fusion with anxious thoughts and feelings.