Complicated Grief Symptoms in Anxiety Disorders: Prevalence and Associated Impairment

Marques, Luana; Bui, Éric; LeBlanc, Nicole J.; Porter, Eliora; Robinaugh, Donald J.; Dryman, M. Taylor; Nadal-Vicens, Mireya; Worthington, John J.; Simon, Naomi M.

doi:10.1002/da.22093

Cited by 51 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…We also reported that individuals with CG exhibited higher levels of lifetime panic-spectrum symptoms, than otherwise healthy bereaved individuals, even after controlling for current PD diagnosis (Bui et al, 2013). Correspondingly, we found in a recent study that 18% of individuals with a primary diagnosis of PD, who lost a loved one at least six months prior, screened positive for CG compared to less than 1% in individuals without any current DSM-IV psychiatric disorders (Marques et al, 2013), and approximately 7% prevalence in the general population (Kersting et al, 2011). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Grief-related panic symptoms in Complicated Grief

Bui

Horenstein

Shah

et al. 2015

Journal of Affective Disorders

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Background Although Complicated Grief (CG) has been associated with comorbid Panic Disorder (PD), little is known about panic attacks in CG, and whether panic symptoms may be grief-related. The present study examines the presence and impact of grief-related panic symptoms in CG. Methods Individuals with CG (n=146, 78% women, mean (SD) age =52.4(15.0)) were assessed for CG, DSM-IV diagnoses, work and social impairment, and with the Panic Disorder Severity Scale modified to assess symptoms “related to or triggered by reminders of your loss” and anticipatory worry. Results Overall, 39.7% reported at least one full or limited-symptom grief-related panic attack over the past week, and 32.2% reported some level of anticipatory worry about grief-related panic. Of interest, 17% met DSM criteria for PD. Among those without PD, 34.7% reported at least one full or limited-symptom grief-related panic attack over the past week, and this was associated with higher CG symptom severity (t=−2.23, p<0.05), and functional impairment (t=−3.31, p<0.01). Among the full sample, controlling for CG symptom severity and current PD, the presence of at least one full or limited-symptom grief-related panic attack was independently associated with increased functional impairment (B(SE)=4.86(1.7), p<0.01). Limitations Limitations include a lack of assessment of non grief-related panic symptoms and examination of a sample of individuals seeking treatment for CG. Conclusions Grief-related panic symptoms may be prevalent among individuals with CG and independently contribute to distress and functional impairment.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Grief-related panic symptoms in Complicated Grief

Bui

Horenstein

Shah

et al. 2015

Journal of Affective Disorders

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“…Individuals with anxiety disorders exhibit elevated rates of CG (Marques et al, in press). Conversely, adults with CG exhibit high rates of comorbid anxiety disorders (Simon et al, 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anxiety Sensitivity in Bereaved Adults With and Without Complicated Grief

Robinaugh

McNally

LeBlanc³

et al. 2014

Journal of Nervous &Amp; Mental Disease

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Complicated grief (CG) is a bereavement specific syndrome chiefly characterized by symptoms of persistent separation distress. Physiological reactivity to reminders of the loss and repeated acute pangs or waves of severe anxiety and psychological pain are prominent features of CG. Fear of this grief-related physiological arousal may contribute to CG by increasing the distress associated with grief reactions and increasing the likelihood of maladaptive coping strategies and grief-related avoidance. Here, we examined anxiety sensitivity (i.e., the fear of anxiety-related sensations; AS) in two studies of bereaved adults with and without CG. In both studies, bereaved adults with CG exhibited elevated AS relative to those without CG. In Study 2, AS was positively associated with CG symptom severity among those with CG. These findings are consistent with the possibility that AS contributes to the development or maintenance of CG symptoms.

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“…Participants rated the frequency of each symptom on a 5-point Likert scale with total scores raging from 0 to 76. Consistent with previous research (Marques et al, 2013; Shear et al, 2005), threshold CG was defined as ≥ 30.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 88%

The Influence of Anxiety Sensitivity on a Wish to Die in Complicated Grief

Baker

Goetter

Bui³

et al. 2016

Journal of Nervous &Amp; Mental Disease

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Individuals with complicated grief (CG) are at elevated risk for suicidal thoughts. Anxiety sensitivity has recently emerged as a risk factor of suicide. This study aimed to investigate a possible association between anxiety sensitivity and a wish to die in individuals with CG. Participants were evaluated for participation in a treatment study and completed an ancillary questionnaire-based study. Participants were 51 bereaved adults evaluated (age: M = 54, SD = 13.6; 78% (n=40) women). Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between anxiety sensitivity and a wish to die. Overall, anxiety sensitivity was associated with a wish to die at the level of a medium effect size, although it did not reach statistical significance. The anxiety sensitivity social concerns subscale was significantly associated with a wish to die. These findings add to a growing literature implicating anxiety sensitivity in reporting a wish to die.

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Complicated Grief Symptoms in Anxiety Disorders: Prevalence and Associated Impairment

Cited by 51 publications

References 37 publications

Grief-related panic symptoms in Complicated Grief

Grief-related panic symptoms in Complicated Grief

Anxiety Sensitivity in Bereaved Adults With and Without Complicated Grief

The Influence of Anxiety Sensitivity on a Wish to Die in Complicated Grief

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