Comparison of depression and anxiety symptom networks in reporters and non-reporters of lifetime trauma in two samples of differing severity

Abstract

Background Reported trauma is associated with differences in the course and outcomes of depression and anxiety. However, no research has explored the association between reported trauma and patterns of clinically relevant symptoms of both depression and anxiety. Methods We used network analysis to investigate associations between reported trauma and depression and anxiety symptom interactions in affected individuals from the Genetic Links to Anxiety and Depression (GLAD) Study (n = 17720), and population volunteers from the UK Biobank (n = 11120). Participants with current moderate symptoms of depression or anxiety were grouped into reporters and non-reporters of lifetime trauma. Networks of 16 depression and anxiety symptoms in the two groups were compared using the network comparison test. Results In the GLAD Study, networks of reporters and non-reporters of lifetime trauma did not differ on any metric. In the UK Biobank, the symptom network of reporters had significantly greater density (7.80) than the network of non-reporters (7.05). Limitations The data collected in the GLAD Study and the UK Biobank are self-reported with validated or semi-validated questionnaires. Conclusions Reported lifetime trauma was associated with stronger interactions between symptoms of depression and anxiety in population volunteers. Differences between reporters and non-reporters may not be observed in individuals with severe depression and/or anxiety due to limited variance in the presentation of disorder.

A network analysis of anxiety and depression symptoms among Chinese nurses in the late stage of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…This finding supported the current status of the two symptoms as core and necessary symptoms required for the diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and MDD ( 38 , 39 ). Similar results were reported in different populations both before and after the breakout of the pandemic ( 15 , 30 , 40 – 42 ). In addition to restlessness, GAD1 (Nervous) showed high BEI, implying itself as a bridge symptom.…”

“…the breakout of the pandemic (15,30,(40)(41)(42). In addition to restlessness, GAD1 (Nervous) showed high BEI, implying itself as a bridge symptom.…”

Transition From Depression to Mental Health: Toward an Operationalization of Plasticity

“…Studies on symptom network in conditions associated with MDD corroborate the association between symptom network features and depression state. For instance, individuals with a history of events that increase risk of depression, such as lifetime trauma 23 , show a strong connectivity of the symptom network. In addition, individuals with high levels of neuroticism have a denser emotion network compared with their less neurotic peers 24 .…”

The Dynamic Interplay of Anxious and Depressive Symptoms in a Sample of Undergraduate Students

“…Multiple studies have tackled this subject regarding anxiety and depression comorbidity, operationalised through the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Symptoms "Sad mood" and "Excessive worry" have been almost ubiquitously identified as the most central (or highly central) in cross-sectional networks (An et al, 2019;Bai et al, 2021;Beard et al, 2016;Bi & Li, 2021;Cramer et al, 2010;Fried et al, 2016;Garabiles et al, 2019;Konac et al, 2021;McElroy et al, 2018;Peel et al, 2021;Ren et al, 2021;Tundo et al, 2021). Symptoms "Anhedonia", "Worthlessness", and "Fatiguability" were also identified as highly central, although with greater variability across studies.…”