Positive life events, attributional style, and hopefulness: testing a model of recovery from depression

Article Abstract:

Much research has been done on the causes and the treatment of depression, but little information is available on the recovery process. In particular, there is little information on those who are untreated for depression. It has also been observed that even without treatment, many depressed individuals recover from depressive episodes within a relatively short period of time. The hopelessness theory of depression has been devised, which focuses on a subtype of depression that occurs in vulnerable individuals and is induced by the occurrence of negative life events. The result of hopelessness is the expectation of adverse outcomes, the belief that desirable outcomes will not occur, and that one is powerless to change this state of affairs. A model has been proposed that was developed with the hopelessness theory of depressive onset in mind. The model asserts that recovery from this type of depression is associated with the restoration of hopefulness, which may occur through a number of potential pathways. It is also hypothesized that an enhancing attributional style, along with increases in positive events, can restore hopefulness that is necessary for recovery. For six weeks a group of 42 depressed subjects were assessed for attributional style and hopelessness. It was found that both the occurrence of positive events and an enhancing attributional style were necessary to restore hopefulness. The presence of one or the other alone was not sufficient to initiate a recovery process. The interrelationship of cognitive variables (attributional styles) and situational variables, such as life events, are together predictive of mood changes, but are not predictive by themselves. It is suggested that the way in which an individual deals with positive events may be more important for the recovery process than how he deals with negative events. Also, decreases in negative occurrences and increases in positive occurrences seem to play a significant role in initiating recovery from depression in these patients. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Care and treatment, Anxiety, Attribution (Social psychology), Attribution (Psychology), Hope

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Panic attacks and related disorders in alcohol-dependent, depressed, and nonclinical samples

Article Abstract:

Recent studies have reported an association between anxiety attacks and alcohol dependence, two conditions that are among the most prevalent mental health problems in this country. This study investigated the prevalence of panic attacks or panic-based disorders among 79 alcohol-dependent patients, 64 depressed patients, and 70 normal control subjects. The alcohol-dependent and depressed patients met the criteria for these conditions described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, third edition. All of the subjects completed a variety of tests that evaluated panic disorder, agoraphobia, and related symptoms. Both the depressed and the alcoholic subjects had higher rates of panic attacks, panic disorders, and agoraphobia with panic attacks than the normal controls. In both groups, the men had higher rates of panic disorder without agoraphobia, and alcoholic men were less likely to develop agoraphobia than the alcoholic women or any of the depressed patients. However, the alcohol-dependent group more frequently met the criteria for panic disorder. The depressed group of patients developed agoraphobic patterns more often than the alcoholic subjects. It was concluded that alcoholics have a higher prevalence of panic attacks and panic-related disorders than non-alcoholics; the prevalence was similar to those with depression. The time between onset of panic attacks and the development of alcohol dependency was not predictable. The implications and the possible interactions between panic disorders and alcoholism are discussed. Further research into the relationship between these two psychiatric disorders is recommended. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Risk factors, Alcoholism, Panic attacks

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Panic onset and major events in the lives of agoraphobics: a test of contiguity

Article Abstract:

The results of previous research have shown a relationship between major life events and the development of panic disorder as a result of agoraphobia. It has been hypothesized that there exists a temporal relationship between the onset of panic associated with agoraphobia and major life events. This study examined 100 agoraphobic patients to investigate the influence of life events on the frequency of panic attacks. Life events were evaluated by the subjects using the Social Readjustment Rating Scale. Three life periods were identified: panic onset period; within-subjects control period; and between-subjects control period. A positive correlation was found between the onset of a panic attack and the occurrence of a major life event. The results also indicated that a greater frequency of major life events occurred in the panic onset period. The data suggest that life stress factors play a significant role in the onset of panic episodes in agoraphobics. Although a temporal relationship has been identified, a direct causal relationship has not yet been established. Individual and group differences in cognitive styles and coping mechanisms, along with genetic predispositions, also need to be considered. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Agoraphobia

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