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Mood disorders cause variations in reports of symptoms

By Staff Writer

When doctors attempt to diagnose illnesses, they typically ask their patients when their symptoms began and how they have progressed. Now, a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Iowa has found that individuals may relay different symptom information based on whether they feel depressed or anxious.

The investigators found that people who felt depressed or sad reported having more symptoms in past days, while those who were anxious or fearful had an increased number of current indicators of illness.

Student participants were given a writing test, in which they spent 15 minutes describing an event that had elicited a strong emotional response from them. After writing, the subjects were able to choose from a list of symptoms and include when they felt them.

The results showed that participants who described events that made them anxious reported having five current symptoms. Those who wrote about sad occurrences only checked one or two current problems.

The study researchers said they believe that physicians should take this information into account when they are diagnosing patients who suffer from mood disorders.

Children who suffer from depression or anxiety may benefit from attending boarding schools, or schools for troubled teens, where they can receive daily treatment.

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