Neuropsychological function in social phobia

Abstract

Acta Neuropsychiatrica 243Depression Rating Scale (HAMD21), Clinical Global Impressions Scale (CGI-BP), SF-36, SLICE/Life Scale and the EuroQol. Participants were also asked about age at fi rst major affective episode. Results: Our data support the existence of three subgroups; early (AAO <20, mean = 15.47 ± 2.7) 46.5% of participants, intermediate , mean = 25.52 ± 4.4) 43.8% of participants and late (AAO >35, mean = 46.2 ± 10.1) 9.7% of participants. The groups differed signifi cantly in the type of fi rst episode experienced (χ 2 = 14.88, df = 1, P = 0.005) such that the early subgroup were more likely to experience a depressive fi rst episode, while the intermediate subgroup were more likely to experience a manic fi rst episode. At enrollment, the early subgroup reported more severe depressive symptoms [HAM-D F(1, 153) = 10.20, P = 0.007]. When the early subgroup was compared with the typical subgroup (intermediate and late combined), the early subgroup tended to experience more clinically signifi cant distress as a result of depression (CGI-BP; χ 2 = 3.73, df = 1, P = 0.053), were less satisfi ed with their overall health (SF-36; χ 2 = 9.42, df = 4, P = 0.051) and were less able to enjoy recreational activities (SLICE; χ 2 = 10.47, df = 4, P = 0.033). Conclusions: Several clinical and functional differences were found between the subgroups based on preliminary data. These differences are important as they can help guide clinical management of this debilitating disorder.