• Anxiety and mood
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2024

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.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.147-153
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• 2013

Objective : Despite the chronic nature and high social costs, individuals with anxiety disorders seldom seek treatment. Thus, education for public awareness and screening for the illness is tremendously important for mental health professionals. This study summaries and presents the results from Anxiety Disorder Screening Program during the Mental Health Exposition held in Seoul in April, 2013. Methods : We analyzed the data from 116 participants who agreed and completed the screening questionnaires during their visits to two-day Anxiety Disorder Screening Program prepared by the Korean Academy of Anxiety Disorder. The questionnaire comprised of modified Mobility inventory for agoraphobia, Contents of worries, Penn State Worry Questionnaire, Life Events Checklist, and Abbreviated Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist. Results : Participants demonstrated high rates of anxiety symptoms and possible anxiety disorders. Experience of panic attack was reported by 45%, lifetime and 16% in the past month by respondents. Phobia was reported by 46%. Participants had an average of 3.3 pathological worries and among those, social or interpersonal content was most common (46%). At least one lifetime traumatic event was reported by 64%. By the cut-off scores in the literature, 46% had possible generalized anxiety disorder and 58% possible posttraumatic stress disorder. Conclusion : Our results suggested that many visitors to Anxiety Disorder Screening Program were in fact treatment seeking after experiencing some forms of anxiety symptoms. Further efforts for delivery of medical information and increasing public awareness for anxiety disorders are needed.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.26-31
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• 2022

Objective : The levels of resilience and gratitude were examined in psychiatric patients with depression and/or anxiety disorders and compared to those of the general population. In addition, we analyzed the associations of positive affect, negative affect, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and gratitude on resilience in this patient population. Methods : The participants included a general population sample (n=155) and psychiatric outpatients with depression and/or anxiety disorders (n=108). All participants completed self-report questionnaires, which included demographic variables, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), the Gratitude Questionnaire-Six-Item Form (GQ-6), the Positive Affect Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results : The CD-RISC and GQ-6 scores of patients with depression and/or anxiety disorders were significantly lower than those of the general population. In the patient population, hierarchical regression analysis showed that gratitude was significantly associated with resilience while controlling for a range of demographic and clinical variables. Conclusion : Patients with depression and/or anxiety disorder generally had lower resilience and gratitude. Moreover, our findings showed that gratitude could influence the levels of resilience in patients with depression and/or anxiety disorders.

• Psychiatry investigation
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.1087-1093
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• 2018

Objective Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is distinct from anxiety disorders in its etiology and clinical symptomatology, and was reclassified into trauma- and stressor-related disorders in DSM-5. This study aimed to find neurophysiological correlates differentiating PTSD from anxiety disorders using resting-state quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG). Methods Thirty-six patients with either PTSD or acute stress disorder and 79 patients with anxiety disorder were included in the analysis. qEEG data of absolute and relative powers and patients' medication status on the day of qEEG examination were obtained. Electrodes were grouped into frontal, central, and posterior regions to analyze for regional differences. General linear models were utilized to test for group differences in absolute and relative powers while controlling for medications. Results PTSD patients differed from those with anxiety disorders in overall absolute powers [F(5,327)=2.601, p=0.025]. Specifically, overall absolute delta powers [F(1,331)=4.363, p=0.037], and overall relative gamma powers [F(1,331)=3.965, p=0.047] were increased in PTSD group compared to anxiety disorder group. Post hoc analysis regarding brain regions showed that the increase in absolute delta powers were localized to the posterior region [F(1,107)=4.001, p=0.048]. Additionally, frontal absolute gamma powers [F(1,107)=4.138, p=0.044] were increased in PTSD group compared to anxiety disorder group. Conclusion Our study suggests increased overall absolute delta powers and relative gamma powers as potential markers that could differentiate PTSD from anxiety disorders. Moreover, increased frontal absolute gamma and posterior delta powers might pose as novel markers of PTSD, which may reflect its distinct symptomatology.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.59-68
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• 1994

A comparison was made regarding the degree of alexithymia among patients with psychosomatic disorders, anxiety disorders and depressive disorders. The author examined the degree of alexithymia in three groups : 100 psychosomatic patients(including 47 patients with tension headache), 52 outpatients with anxiety disorden, and 50 outpatients with depressive disorders. Alexithymia was assessed by Alexithymia provoked Response Questionnaires(APRQ) developed as a semi-structured interview form. No significant difference was found in the degree of alexithymia among Patients with Psychosomatic disorders, anxiety disorders, and depressive disorders. On the other hand, patients with tension headache were significantly more alexithymic than patients with anxiety disorders and depressive disorders, respectively. However, there was no significant difference in degree of alexithymia between patients with anxiety disorders and those with depressive disorders. Multiple regression analysis revealed that demographic variables such as set age, education level, and marital status did not make a significant influence on alexithymia scores. These results suggest a greater degree of alexithymia in patients with a specific group of psychosomiatic disorders such as tension headache than in patients with emotional disorders, unlike the previous report that in general, psychosomatic patients are alexithymic. Thus, it is necessary to develop special forms of interview which can induce and encourage expression of emotion as a therapeutic strategy for patients with tension headache.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.46-51
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• 2007

Objectives : By comparing the prevalence rates of suicide-related behaviors (suicide ideation, plan and attempt) between depressive disorder and anxiety disorder patients, we tried to find the characteristics of suicide-related behaviors in these patients. Methods : Four hundred-three patients participated in the study and the prevalence rates of suicide-related behaviors were investigated using Korean version of Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview plus. Pearson Chi-Square test was used to find the association between depressive or anxiety disorders and suiciderelated behaviors. Results : Statistically significant differences were found between depressive disorder group and anxiety disorder group in terms of suicide ideation ($X^2$=6.173, df=1, p=0.013) and suicide attempt ($X^2$=8.008, df=1, p=0.005). We also found that patients in depressive disorder group were more likely to have suicide ideation (Odds Ratio=2.049, 95% Confidence Interval=1.155-3.635), and attempt suicide (Odds Ratio=4.970, 95% Confidence Interval=1.466-16.845) than patients in anxiety disorder group. Conclusion : These findings suggest that suicide ideation and suicide attempt rates are higher in depressive disorders than in anxiety disorders.

• Psychiatry investigation
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.1053-1063
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• 2018

Objective This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Korean Anxiety Screening Assessment (K-ANX) developed for screening anxiety disorders. Methods Data from 613 participants were analyzed. The K-ANX was evaluated for reliability using Cronbach's alpha, item-total correlation, and test information curve, and for validity using focus group interviews, factor analysis, correlational analysis, and item characteristics based on item response theory (IRT). The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the K-ANX were compared with those of the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7). Results The K-ANX showed excellent internal consistency (${\alpha}=0.97$) and item-total coefficients (0.92-0.97), and a one-factor structure was suggested. All items were highly correlated with the total scores of the BAI, GAD-7, and Penn State Worry Questionnaire. IRT analysis indicated the K-ANX was most informative as a screening tool for anxiety disorders at the range between 0.8 and 1.6 (i.e., top 21.2 to 5.5 percentiles). Higher sensitivity (0.795) and specificity (0.937) for identifying anxiety disorders were observed in the K-ANX compared to the BAI and GAD-7. Conclusion The K-ANX is a reliable and valid measure to screen anxiety disorders in a Korean sample, with greater sensitivity and specificity than current measures of anxiety symptoms.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2016

Objective : This study used the HEXACO personality structure model to evaluate the relationship between personality profiles and symptoms in patients with depression and/or anxiety disorders. Methods : Total 123 patients with depression or anxiety disorders completed Beck depression inventory (BDI), state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI), and HEXACO-personality inventory. Correlation analysis and independent t-test were performed for comparison between HEXACO and BDI or STAI scores. Results : Depressive symptoms were negatively correlated with extraversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness and openness to experiences. Both severity of state and trait anxiety were positively correlated with emotionality, and negatively correlated with conscientiousness and agreeableness. Moreover, state anxiety was negatively correlated with honesty-humility, and trait anxiety was negatively correlated with extraversion. The depression group showed significantly higher emotionality and lower extraversion, conscientiousness, openness to experiences, and agreeableness compared to the non-depression group. In a comparison of the HEXACO domain scores between the non-anxiety and anxiety group, honesty-humility and agreeableness in the state anxiety group and extraversion, conscientiousness, and agreeableness in trait anxiety group were significantly lower. Conclusion : Theses results suggest that the depression or anxiety symptoms were highly correlated with personality profiles. Therefore, evaluating the personality profiles in these patients may be helpful for directing appropriate therapeutic plans.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.3-9
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• 2013

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is defined as the tendency to react negatively on an emotional, cognitive, and behavioral level to uncertain situations and events. However, this definition is somewhat categorical and does not explain the phenomenology of IU. Intolerance of uncertainty scale (IUS), the standard measure of IU, was considered to have two factors : 'unacceptability and avoidance of uncertainty' and 'uncertainty leading to the inability to act'. IU may be a cognitive vulnerability factor for clinical worry and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). A number of moderators and mediators including cognitive avoidance, experiential avoidance and rumination influence the relationship between IU, worry, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, anxious and depressive symptoms. IU may be more strongly related to the symptoms of GAD than to symptoms of other anxiety disorders including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and major depressive disorder. IU may serve as an important transdiagnostic feature across anxiety and depressive disorders. Incorporating IU-specific treatment components into therapeutic protocols may result in pervasive benefits, and not only for those with GAD or OCD, but for people with any anxiety disorder or with depression.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.42-47
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• 2009

Recently, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was given the status of an approved form of psychotherapy for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. However, its effectiveness in the treatment of other anxiety disorders such as phobia is yet to be determined given that controlled studies have provided mixed results. This report summarizes the case of a child with a specific phobia (i.e. nighttime fear) which was successfully treated with two sessions of EMDR. This result suggests the further and thorough evaluation of this technique for use in childhood phobic disorders.