An examination of generalized anxiety disorder and dysthymia utilizing the Rorschach inkblot method. (30th June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Slavin-Mulford, Jenelle; Clements, Alyssa; Hilsenroth, Mark; Charnas, Jocelyn; Zodan, Jennifer
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 240(2016)
• Page Start: 137
• Page End: 143
• Publication Date: 2016-06-30
• Subjects: Generalized anxiety disorder -- Dysthymia -- Depression -- Comorbidity -- Rorschach; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.04.018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

Abstract: This study examined transdiagnostic features of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and dysthymia in an outpatient clinical sample. Fifteen patients who met DSM-IV criteria for GAD and twenty-one patients who met DSM-IV criteria for dysthymia but who did not have comorbid anxiety disorder were evaluated utilizing the Rorschach. Salient clinical variables were then compared. Results showed that patients with GAD scored significantly higher on variables related to cognitive agitation and a desire/need for external soothing. In addition, there was a trend for patients with GAD to produce higher scores on a measure of ruminative focus on negative aspects of the self. Thus, not surprisingly, GAD patients' experienced more distress than the dysthymic patients. The implications of these findings are discussed with regards to better understanding the shared and distinct features of GAD and dysthymia. Highlights: Shared features of GAD and dysthymia were evaluated using the Rorschach. Shared features included: sadness, helplessness, and distress. GAD was associated with more cognitive agitation compared to dysthymia. GAD was associated with increased need for external soothing compared to dysthymia. May be helpful to focus on perception of capacity to cope when treating GAD.