Panic Disorder: The Strength and Influence of Selected Variables as Predictors of Comorbidity And Research Portfolio

Carney, Therese (1995) Panic Disorder: The Strength and Influence of Selected Variables as Predictors of Comorbidity And Research Portfolio. D Clin Psy thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

This study has been designed to complement previous research on comorbidity within panic disorder. It was also hoped that additional new information will be obtained on the impact of specific predictor variables. The term 'predictor variable' refers to those variables which are associated with a comorbid diagnosis. Measures describing this association should help in the prediction of a comorbid diagnosis. These predictor variables, or associations may be related to comorbidity in such a way that an increase in one may be accompanied by an increase in the other, or conversely an increase in one may be accompanied by a decrease in the other. No attempt will be made to measure or quantify this relationship which should therefore be seen as an association rather than a correlation. The term comorbidity was coined by Feinstein ( 1970) and has its basis in general medicine. It refers to the co-occurrence of at least two different disorders in the same individual. The symptoms are concurrent with those of the principal disorder but are not a typical feature of that disorder (Barlow, 1988). This is distinct from associated symptoms in which the symptoms are aspects of the primary disorder and thus do not warrant a separate diagnosis. In this study, the principal diagnosis will be the one judged to be associated with the greatest distress or life interference at time of interview and the reason why treatment was sought. No attempt will be made to use a chronological or causal distinction which assumes that the principal diagnosis comes first temporally, or causes the co morbid symptoms (Klerman, 1990). The study will be undertaken at Hairmyres Hospital, with patients referred from East Kilbride/Hamilton Primary Care Services.

• Item Type: Thesis (D Clin Psy)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Adviser: Colin Espie
• Keywords: Clinical psychology
• Date of Award: 1995
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1995-74841
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 13 Nov 2019 15:58
• Last Modified: 13 Nov 2019 15:58
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/74841