Vegetative Symptoms in Anxiety and Depression

Abstract

Summary: The incidence of vegetative symptoms was found to be higher in 61 medication-free patients with anxiety compared to an equal number of age and sex-matched normal controls. Multiple regression analysis identified depression, as rated by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), as the most highly predictive factor associated with these symptoms. Twenty-two anxious patients who obtained scores less than 5 on BDI (absent or minimal depression) were compared with an equal number of age and sex-matched patients with depression. The depressed patients reported a higher incidence of sleep disturbances, weight loss and appetite loss.