Screening for generalized anxiety disorder symptoms in the wake of terrorist attacks: A study in primary care |
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| Authors: | Bita Ghafoori Yuval Neria Marc J Gameroff Mark Olfson Rafael Lantigua Steven Shea Myrna M Weissman |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Advanced Studies in Education and Counseling, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA;2. Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical Center, and Trauma and PTSD Program, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY;3. Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical Center, and Division of Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY;4. Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY;5. Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical Center;6. and Division of Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY |
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| Abstract: | Little is known about the mental health impact of terrorism beyond posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. The associations between exposure to the September 11, 2001 (9/11) attacks in New York City and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) symptoms were examined in a sample of 929 primary care patients. After controlling for PTSD, depression, panic and substance use disorders, and pre-9/11 trauma, patients who screened positive (vs. negative) for GAD symptoms were roughly twice as likely to report having a loved one at the 9/11 disaster site, twice as likely to know someone who was killed by the attacks, and twice as likely to know someone who was involved with the rescue/recovery efforts after the disaster. Implications for treatment and future research are discussed. |
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