The authors present findings from the first investigation of the use of alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine in nonsubstance-abusing outpatients with major depressive disorder. The patients (N = 94) were assessed for their intake of alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine, and then treated openly for 8 weeks with 20 mg/day of fluoxetine. The degree of alcohol consumption at baseline was a significant predictor of poorer response to the antidepressant. This relationship remained significant even after adjusting for severity of depression at baseline. Even moderate levels of alcohol consumption appear to negatively affect pharmacologic treatment in depressed outpatients.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Axis I and Axis II disorder comorbidity in unipolar depression with anger attacks.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated whether anger attacks in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) are associated with higher rates of panic or other Axis I or II comorbid disorders. METHODS: 306 out-patients (163 women, mean age 39.5+/-10.5) with MDD were administered the Structured Clinical Interviews for Axis I and II Disorders, and the Anger Attacks Questionnaire. RESULTS: Patients with anger attacks showed only a trend toward a significantly higher rate of current panic disorder (P = 0.06) but no other difference in Axis I comorbidity. In addition patients with anger attacks had a slightly but significantly greater degree of depression severity. Consistent with previous studies, we have also found that depressed patients with anger attacks had significantly higher rates of dependent, avoidant, narcissistic, borderline, and antisocial personality disorders than those without anger attacks. CONCLUSION: Anger attacks do not appear to be associated with any specific pattern of Axis I comorbidity, but they are certainly linked with certain personality disorders. It is possible that the acute depressive state may have confounded the assessment of personality disorder rates, as well as the presence of anger attacks. On the other hand, both depressed patient groups (with or without anger attacks) were subject to the same confounding effect as their depression severity was rather comparable, thereby limiting the impact of this potential bias.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Childhood anger: so common, yet so misunderstood.

PURPOSE: To review findings of recent research studies on anger in children and adolescents, the outcomes of mishandled anger and interventions to promote appropriate anger management. SOURCE: Published literature. CONCLUSIONS: Anger may be a healthy or unhealthy response in children experiencing small frustrations or great injustices. Research findings vary and there is a need to clearly define anger and the correlates of anger in children and adolescents. In addition, there are limited studies on anger management strategies and their effectiveness that would assist healthcare professionals.

Adaptation, Psychological↗