Co-occurrence of Axis I and Axis II disorders in substance abusers

Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2000 Feb;101(2):110-8. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0447.2000.90050.x.

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the co-occurrence of anxiety/mood and personality disorders (PDs) in substance abusers, the impact of anxiety/ mood disorders on the symptom profiles of PDs, and the impact of anxiety/mood disorders and PDs on pre-treatment status.

Method: Current anxiety/mood disorders and PDs and pre-treatment status were assessed using semi-structured interviews in 370 treated substance abusers.

Results: Anxiety/mood disorders and PDs frequently co-occurred, with the overall pattern of associations being non-specific. The strongest associations were of social phobia with avoidant and schizotypal PD, and of major depression with borderline PD. However, symptom profiles of PDs were not associated with anxiety/mood disorders. Finally, anxiety/mood disorders and PDs were both independently and differentially associated with poor pre-treatment characteristics.

Conclusion: The findings suggest the clinical importance of obtaining both Axis I and Axis II diagnoses in treated substance abusers, and highlight the distinctiveness of the Axis I and Axis II disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety Disorders / complications*
  • Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Anxiety Disorders / epidemiology
  • Borderline Personality Disorder / complications
  • Borderline Personality Disorder / diagnosis
  • Borderline Personality Disorder / epidemiology
  • Catchment Area, Health
  • Connecticut
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interview, Psychological
  • Male
  • Personality Disorders / complications*
  • Personality Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Personality Disorders / epidemiology
  • Phobic Disorders / complications
  • Phobic Disorders / diagnosis
  • Phobic Disorders / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Schizotypal Personality Disorder / complications
  • Schizotypal Personality Disorder / diagnosis
  • Schizotypal Personality Disorder / epidemiology
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Substance Abuse Treatment Centers
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications*