Anxiety disorders early-onset

The anxiety disorders are common and surprisingly disabling conditions. Studies on the health economics of generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder document the cost to the individual and to society. Attention has focused on the major psychiatric disorders such as depression, schizophrenia and the dementias. Studies suggest that many anxiety disorders are of early onset and too often chronic they are quite common and impose a heavy burden on society. More studies will be needed to discern the fine grain in the survey material and to identify more precisely the location and type of societal costs. These factors will vary from country to country, from district to district, between men and women and between various age groups. 

The mean age of onset of bipolar disorder is 20, although onset may occur in early childhood to the mid-40s.1 If the onset of symptoms occurs after 60 years of age, the condition is probably secondary to medical causes. Early onset of bipolar disorder is associated with greater comorbidities, more mood episodes, a greater proportion of days depressed, and greater lifetime risk of suicide attempts, compared to bipolar disorder with a later onset. Substance abuse and anxiety disorders are more common in patients with an early onset. Patients with bipolar disorder also have higher rates of suicidal thinking, suicidal attempts, and completed suicides. 

Numerous studies found that childhood sexual, physical, and emotional abuse also predisposes victims of such abuse to the development of depression in adulthood (e.g., McCauley et ah, 1997). The risk for depression increases with early onset and severity of the abuse as well as with the experience of multiple types of abuse. In addition, child abuse is related to an array of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD (e.g., Kendler et ah, 2000). Other disorders related to childhood abuse include substance abuse, eating disorders, dissociation, and so-... 

BRAIN SYSTEMS IN EARLY-ONSET ANXIETY DISORDER... 

In early-onset OCD, comorbid psychiatric disorders are present in about 80% of the cases. Major depression is seen in approximately 66% attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), or multiple anxiety disorders in 50% and enuresis or speech and language disorders in 33%... 

Early onset of drug abuse is associated with early sexual activity, crime, and educational failure. Young amphetamine users risk exploitation by adults and are more likely to become involved in criminal or violent behavior and prostitution—having to resort to sex for survival. Consequently, they are also more likely to become infected with HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases and by tuberculosis or other bacterial, fungal, or viral infections. Chronic amphetamine abusers are also more at risk for mental and emotional disorders including anxiety, phobias, and depression. They are at higher risk of suicide. 

Wittchen HU, Lieb R, Schuster P, Oldehinkel AJ (1999a) When is onset Investigations into early developmental stages of anxiety and depressive disorders. In JL Rapaport (ed) Childhood onset of adult psychopathology, clinical and research advances. American Psychiatric Press, Washington, pp 259-302... 

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