Hypoesthesia in generalised anxiety disorder and major depression disorder.

The determination of soft signs can be a conducive practice to understand the differential etiology between depression and anxiety. This study aims at examining malleolar hypoesthesia role in distinguishing between patients with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depression disorder (MDD). This study examines the presence of malleolar hypoesthesia in patients with GAD ( = 47) compared to patients with MDD ( = 48) and healthy individuals (controls;  = 99).

Is Hypoesthesia of the Malleolus a Subtle Neurological Sign in Anxiety?

This study examined the presence of neurological soft signs, an accessible diagnostic instrument, in patients with anxiety. Individuals with anxiety were more likely to manifest hypoesthesia than healthy controls, and patients who showed hypoesthesia exhibited greater symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Hypoesthesia of the malleolus as a soft sign in depression.

Background: Physical signs often are present in many psychiatric conditions, making up a fundamental part of them and accompanying the psychiatric manifestations themselves. Identifying minor neurological signs is especially of interest due to they are easily accessible through simple neurological examination and could be a useful if underused tool for the diagnostic process and patient therapy.

Method: A group of depressed patients (n=85) and group of healthy individuals (n=101) that served as control were examined using the Wartenberg wheel, a medical device for neurological use, in order to determine the presence of hypoesthesia on both sides of their ankles.