MIDAS Project Publication Abstracts
Posternak, M.A., Zimmerman, M. Anger and aggression in psychiatric
outpatients. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2002, 63,
665-672.
Background: This study sought to evaluate the degree of
anger and aggression experienced by psychiatric outpatients, and
to determine whether anger is as prominent an emotional state in
these patients as are depression and anxiety. We also sought to
determine which axis I and axis II disorders were associated with
increased rates of subjective anger and aggressive behavior. Method:
Thirteen hundred individuals presenting to a psychiatric outpatient
practice underwent semi-structured interviews to evaluate current
axis I (n=1300) and axis II disorders (n=687). Levels of subjective
anger and aggression during the preceding week were assessed in
each patient, and the respective odds ratios were calculated for
each disorder. A multiple regression analysis was performed to determine
which psychiatric disorders independently contributed to the presence
of subjective anger and aggressive behavior. Results: Approximately
one-half of our sample reported currently experiencing moderate
to severe levels of subjective anger, and about one-quarter had
demonstrated aggressive behavior in the preceding week. This level
of anger was found to be comparable to the levels of depressed mood
and psychic anxiety reported by our sample. Unipolar and bipolar
I depression, intermittent explosive disorder, and cluster B personality
disorders independently contributed to the presence of both anger
and aggression. Conclusions: Anger and aggression are prominent
in psychiatric outpatients to a degree that may rival depression
and anxiety; it is therefore important that clinicians routinely
screen for these symptoms.
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