Adult separation anxiety differentiates patients with complicated grief and/or major depression and is related to lifetime mood spectrum symptoms

• Published in: Comprehensive psychiatry Vol. 58; pp. 45 - 49
• Main Authors: Carmassi, C, Gesi, C, Corsi, M, Pergentini, I, Cremone, I.M, Conversano, C, Perugi, G, Shear, M.K, Dell'Osso, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-04-2015; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Anxiety; Anxiety, Separation - complications; Anxiety, Separation - diagnosis; Bipolar disorder; Comorbidity; Depressive Disorder, Major - diagnosis; Emotions; Female; Grief; Humans; Male; Marital status; Middle Aged; Mood Disorders - complications; Mood Disorders - diagnosis; Post traumatic stress disorder; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychiatry; Studies; Symptom Assessment - psychology
• ISSN: 0010-440X; 1532-8384
• DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2014.11.012

Abstract Background Increasing literature has been focused on complicated grief (CG) and its distinctiveness from other potentially loss related mental disorders such as major depression (MD). In this regard, symptoms of separation distress seem to play a key role. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical features of CG to those of MD and of CG + MD, with particular attention to separation anxiety. Methods Fifty patients with CG (26 with and 24 without MD) and 40 with MD were consecutively recruited. Assessments included: SCID-I/P, Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), Adult Separation Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire (ASA-27), Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), Mood Spectrum-Self Report (MOODS-SR)-lifetime version. Results Patients with MD reported significantly higher ASA-27 scores than patients with CG either alone or with MD. In all groups, ASA-27 total scores were significantly correlated with the MOODS-SR total scores and with those of its depressive component and rhythmicity domain. No significant differences were reported in the WSAS scores. Limitations Major limitations are the small sample size and the use of lifetime instruments. Conclusions Our results suggest a correlation between adult separation anxiety symptoms and lifetime mood spectrum symptoms both in patients with CG and MD. Further studies are needed to better understand the role of adult separation anxiety in the development of these disorders and for their nosographic autonomy as well.