The spectrum of anxiety disorders in the medically ill.

Objective: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of anxiety disorders in the medically ill.

Method: A sample of 1,660 medical patients was recruited from different medical settings in different periods from 1996 to 2007. All patients underwent detailed semistructured interviews with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) and the Structured Interview for Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research (DCPR).

Assessing somatization with various diagnostic criteria.

Background: Somatization is a widespread clinical phenomenon that cuts across diagnostic categories, both psychiatric and medical.

Objective: This study investigates whether somatization can be assessed with a comprehensive diagnostic system, the Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research (DCPR) in gastroenterology and cardiology (myocardial infarction) patients.

Method: Authors assessed a group of 343 outpatients, 190 gastroenterology and 153 cardiology outpatients, with functional gastrointestinal disorders and recent first myocardial infarction.

Psychosomatic characterization of adjustment disorders in the medical setting: some suggestions for DSM-V.

Background: Adjustment disorders have been found to be the most frequent psychiatric diagnosis in the medically ill. Problems have been raised, however, as to their clinical value. The aim of the study was to characterize the psychosomatic features of adjustment disorders.

Irritable mood in Italian patients with medical disease.

Irritability may be a mood state independent of other moods and anxiety disorders, even though it may be symptomatic of several psychiatric disorders, such as major depression. The aims of this exploratory study were to verify the presence of irritable mood in a group of medical outpatients with a variety of clinical conditions (functional gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular disorders, endocrine diseases and cancer) and to examine its relationship with major depression. A total of 609 consecutive outpatients recruited from different medical settings were assessed according to DSM-IV and Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research using semistructured research interviews.

Use of the Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research (DCPR) in a community sample.

The authors assessed the prevalence of Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research (DCPR) clusters in a community sample and the association between these syndromes and psychosocial variables. A group of 347 consecutive subjects from the general population were administered the semistructured interview for DCPR and a self-rating scale (the Psychosocial Index). A DCPR syndrome was identified in 59% of subjects.

Assessing demoralization and depression in the setting of medical disease.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the presence of demoralization and major depression in the setting of medical disease.

Method: 807 consecutive outpatients recruited from different medical settings (gastroenterology, cardiology, endocrinology, and oncology) were assessed according to DSM-IV criteria and Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research, using semistructured research interviews.

Results: Demoralization was identified in 245 patients (30.

Assessing the community prevalence of bipolar spectrum symptoms by the mood disorder questionnaire.

Background: The goal of this study was to assess the frequency and spectrum of symptoms related to bipolar disorders in a community sample by means of a self-rating questionnaire.

Method: The Mood Disorder Questionnaire, a self-rating scale which evaluates DSM-IV manic/hypomanic symptoms, was administered to a community sample of 1,034 individuals recruited through advertisements. Symptom interrelationships were studied by factor analysis.

Well-being therapy of generalized anxiety disorder.

Background: There is increasing awareness that the goal of treatment in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) should not simply be a response, but restoration of normal function. The aim of this study was to apply a novel psychotherapeutic approach for increasing the level of remission in GAD.

Methods: Twenty patients with DSM-IV GAD devoid of comorbid conditions were randomly assigned to 8 sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or the sequential administration of 4 sessions of CBT followed by other 4 sessions of well-being therapy (WBT).

Psychological assessment in cardiac rehabilitation.

Background: While there has been an upsurge of interest in the psychiatric correlates of myocardial infarction, little is known about the presence of psychological distress in the setting of cardiac rehabilitation.

Methods: A consecutive series of 61 patients with recent myocardial infarction who participated in a cardiac rehabilitation program was evaluated by means of both observer-rated (DSM and DCPR) and self-rated (Psychosocial Index) methods. A follow-up of this patient population was undertaken (median = 2 years).

Psychological well-being in rheumatoid arthritis: relationship to 'disease' variables and affective disturbance.

Background: Resilience is likely to be important in understanding psychological responses to chronic physical illnesses. This study aimed to examine one measure of resilience--Ryff's operationalized measure of psychological well-being (PWB)--in rheumatoid arthritis. It was hypothesized that PWB would be influenced by age and gender in the same way as in community samples, and that the absence of current mood disorder would be associated with high PWB.