The frequency, course, and clinical correlates of generalized anxiety
disorder (GAD) and its relationship to major depression were examined in 66
patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Of 66 TBI patients, 7 (11%) had
both GAD and major depression; 10 (15%) had major depression without GAD.
Median duration was 1.5 months for nonanxious depressions, 7.5 months for
anxious depressions, and 1.5 months for concurrent GAD. Anxious depressions
were also associated with right hemisphere lesions, whereas major
depressions alone were associated with left anterior lesions. These
findings suggest that anxious major depression and major depression
following TBI may be two different disorders with different underlying
etiological mechanisms and perhaps differential response to treatment.Abstract Teaser