Conference paper

COMORBID ANXIETY IN PATIENTS WITH PSYCHOSIS

Mojca Zvezdana Dernovšek ; Educational and Research Institute Ozara Ljubljana (IRIO), Poljanska 22C, 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
Lilijana Šprah ; Sociomedical Institute, Scientific Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SMI SRC SASA), Novi trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Abstract

A diagnosis of psychosis has tended to discount the considerable degree of emotional disorder associated with it, in a manner that may also inform psychological treatment options. Depression and anxiety are often associated with schizophrenia. Up to 40% of people have clinical levels of depression and anxiety symptoms could occur in 60% of patients with chronic psychotic disorder. Among emotional problems depression and depressive symptoms are well recognised and treated with success, whereas anxiety is a less known phenomenon and has not been studied as much as depression. Comorbid anxiety disorders or symptoms (social phobia, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress
disorder) occur in patients with psychosis in the same way as in patients who have only anxiety disorder. This comorbidity adversely affects outcome, and it may also reflect on processes underlying the development of psychotic symptoms. The present review highlights some major characteristics of anxiety and psychosis and also
some aspects of coping and treatment strategies for anxiety in patients with psychosis.

Keywords

psychosis; comorbid anxiety; treatment strategies; coping; emotional functioning

Hrčak ID:

49506

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/49506

Publication date:

10.3.2009.

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