Panikattacken sind mit einer Lebenszeitprävalenz von ungefähr 15% ein relativ häufiges Phänomen im Gegensatz zu einer vollen Panikstörung, die eine Prävalenz von 2,3–3% aufweist. In der vorliegenden epidemiologischen Untersuchung (n = 481) einer bundesweiten repräsentativen Stichprobe wurde geprüft, ob früh (vor dem 25. Lebensjahr) und spat auftretende Panikattacken sich hinsichtlich Symptomatik, Verlaufs- und Komorbiditätsmustern unterscheiden. Neben einer erhöhten Angstsymptomatik, insbesondere bezüglich respiratorischer Beschwerden und der Angst zu sterben, zeigte sich bei Panikattacken mit spätem Beginn ein erhöhtes Risiko für Multimorbidität. Auch entwickelten sich bei dieser Gruppe komorbide Bedingungen schneller. Dagegen waren Panikattacken mit frühem Beginn und einem erhöhten Risiko für Agoraphobie sowie phobische Störungen verbunden. Die Ergebnisse werden im Hinblick auf pathogenetische Mechanismen und Implikationen für die Planung therapeutischer Interventionen diskutiert.

A literature search, in addition to expert survey, was performed to estimate the size and burden of panic disorder in the European Union (EU). Epidemiologic data from EU countries were critically reviewed to determine the consistency of prevalence estimates across studies and to identify the most pressing questions for future research. A comprehensive literature search focusing on epidemiological studies in community and clinical settings in European countries since 1980 was conducted (Medline, Web of Science, Psychinfo). Only studies using established diagnostic instruments on the basis of DSM-III-R or DSM-IV, or ICD-10 were considered. Thirteen studies from a total of 14 countries were identified. Epidemiological findings are relatively consistent across the EU. The 12-month prevalence of panic disorder and agoraphobia without history of panic were estimated to be 1.8% (0.7–2.2) and 1.3% (0.7–2.0) respectively across studies. Rates are twice as high in females and age of first onset for both disorders is in adolescence or early adulthood. In addition to comorbidity with agoraphobia, panic disorder is strongly associated with other anxiety disorders, and a wide range of somatoform, affective and substance use disorders. Even subclinical forms of panic disorder (i.e., panic attacks) are associated with substantial distress, psychiatric comorbidity and functional impairment. In general health primary care settings, there appears to be substantial underdiagnosis and undertreatment of panic disorder. Moreover, panic disorder and agoraphobia are poorly recognized and rarely treated in mental health settings, despite high health care utilization rates and substantial long-term disability.

Hintergrund: In der Kognitiven Verhaltenstherapie (KVT) der Panikstörung mit Agoraphobie (PD/AG) werden häufig Körperübungen zur Symptomprovokation (interozeptive Exposition) eingesetzt, jedoch liegen kaum systematische, empirische Untersuchungen zu Wirkung und Wirkweise dieser Übungen vor. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war die Charakterisierung individueller Reaktionen auf interozeptive Übungen sowie die mit der Wiederholung der Übungen verbundenen Veränderungen dieser Reaktionen. Patienten und Methoden: Selbstberichtdaten zu ausgelösten Körpersymptomen sowie Symptom- und Angststärken von 301 Patienten mit PD/AG, die verschiedene interozeptive Übungen durchführten, wurden ausgewertet. Die Durchführung der interozeptiven Exposition erfolgte im Rahmen einer manualisierten KVT des Psychotherapieverbundes «Panik-Netz». Ergebnisse: Interozeptive Exposition löste Körpersymptome und damit verbunden Angst aus. Am häufigsten wurden vestibuläre, respiratorische und kardiovaskuläre Symptome ausgelöst. Die stärkste Symptomausprägung verbunden mit der stärksten Angst erzeugten die Übungen «Drehen», «Hyperventilieren» und «Strohhalmatmung». Übungswiederholung bewirkte eine Reduktion der Symptom- und Angststärken, insbesondere die Übungen «Drehen», «Strohhalmatmung» und «Hyperventilieren». Diskussion und Schlussfolgerungen: Interozeptive Exposition ist gut geeignet zur Auslösung von Körpersymptomen und zur Reduktion der damit verbundenen Symptom- und Angststärke, insbesondere über die Übungen «Drehen», «Hyperventilieren» und «Strohhalmatmung». Zur größeren Angst- und Symptomstärkenreduktion empfiehlt sich eine hohe Wiederholungsrate. Die Relevanz respiratorischer, vestibulärer und kardiovaskulärer Symptome für den Behandlungserfolg sollte weiterführend untersucht werden. / Background: Although interoceptive exposure is a frequent component of cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT) in panic disorder with agoraphobia, there is a lack of evidence investigating the effect of this treatment component and its underlying mechanisms of change. The present study aimed at characterizing individual responses to interoceptive exposure and response changes after repeated exposure. Patients and Methods: Under the national research initiative ‘Panic Net’, self-report data were analyzed including bodily symptoms, symptom intensity and experienced anxiety during interoceptive exposure of 301 PD/AG patients who participated in a manualized CBT trial. Results: Interoceptive exposure induced bodily symptoms and anxiety. Respiratory, vestibular and cardiovascular symptoms were most frequently reported. Spinning, breathing through a straw and hyperventilation produced most intense symptom reports and anxiety ratings. Repeating the interoceptive exposure reliably reduced reported symptom intensity and anxiety ratings particularly after spinning, breathing through a straw and hyperventilation. Discussion and Conclusions: In PD/AG patients, interoceptive exposure induces bodily symptoms and reduces reported symptom intensity and anxiety, particularly through spinning, hyperventilation and breathing through a straw. Repeated rehearsal is encouraged given that larger reduction of anxiety and symptom reports were associated with more training. Further research is needed to assess the relevance of respiratory, vestibular and cardiovascular symptoms for CBT treatment.

[pt] Sensibilidade à Ansiedade (ex: medo dos sintomas relacionados à ansiedade assim como a crença de que esses sintomas possam ter conseqüências desastrosas) é um importante constructo psicológico envolvido na etiologia de diferentes Transtornos de Ansiedade. O presente estudo avaliou as propriedades psicométricas e a estrutura fatorial da Escala de Sensibilidade à Ansiedade Revisada (ESA-R) em 585 pacientes brasileiros com diagnóstico primário de Transtorno de Ansiedade. Os resultados indicaram que a presente versão da ESAR possui boa consistência interna e boa correlação de coeficiente item-total. A análise fatorial exploratória sugeriu uma estrutura hierárquica composta por um fator único de primeira ordem e quatro fatores de segunda ordem relacionados a: 1) medo dos sintomas respiratórios e cardiovasculares, 2) medo de descontrole cognitivo, 3) medo que as reações de ansiedade sejam observadas publicamente, e 4) medo dos sintomas gastrintestinais. Os fatores de primeira e segunda ordem da ESA-R comparados com os diferentes grupos de Transtorno de Ansiedade indicaram que pacientes com Transtorno do Pânico apresentaram um escore significativamente mais elevados nas dimensões da ESA - R, com exceção para o fator de segunda ordem medo do descontrole cognitivo. / [en] Anxiety sensitivity (i.e., fear of anxiety-related symptoms due to the belief that these symptoms will produce harmful consequences) is an important psychological construct involved in the etiology of different anxiety disorders. The present study evaluated the psychometric proprieties and the factor structure of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised (ASI-R) among 585 Brazilian patients with primary anxiety disorder diagnosis. Results indicated that the present version of the ASI-R had good internal consistency and item-total correlation coefficients. Exploratory factor analyses suggested a hierarchical structure composed by a single higher-order factor and four lower-order factors related to 1) fear of respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms, 2) fear of cognitive dyscontrol, 3) fear of publicly observable anxiety reactions, and 4) fear of gastrointestinal symptoms. ASI-R higher- and lower-order factor scores comparisons across the different anxiety disorder groups indicated that panic disorder patients scored significantly higher in the ASI-R dimensions, except for the fear of cognitive dyscontrol lowerorder factor.

Avaliar a Qualidade de Vida (QV) de pacientes com Transtornos Alimentares (TA), verificar diferenças entre os subtipos de TA e identificar dimensões de QV mais prejudicadas. Métodos: O instrumento de QV da Organização Mundial de Saúde (WHOQOL-100) foi respondido por 69 mulheres com TA (Anorexia Nervosa AN=34; Bulimia Nervosa BN=26 e Transtorno Alimentar Não Especificado TANE=9) e por 69 mulheres saudáveis. Utilizou-se a Entrevista Clínica Estruturada para Transtornos do Eixo I do DSM-IV (SCID) para a realização dos diagnósticos psiquiátricos. Resultados: Pacientes com TA apresentaram piores escores na QV geral e em todos os domínios (físico, psicológico, relações sociais, meio ambiente, nível de independência e espiritualidade), tendo sido o psicológico aquele com maior prejuízo. Não foram encontradas diferenças entre os subtipos de TA quanto aos prejuízos de QV. As comorbidades psiquiátricas encontradas com maiores prevalências foram os Transtornos do Humor, os Relacionados ao Uso de Álcool e Outras Substâncias e os de Ansiedade. Pacientes com AN e comorbidade com o Transtorno de Pânico apresentaram QV mais prejudicada que pacientes com AN sem Pânico. A maioria dos pacientes apresentava múltiplas comorbidades e histórico de diversas tentativas de suicídio. Conclusões: Pacientes com TA apresentam significativo prejuízo de QV em todos os domínios, em especial no psicológico, provavelmente em função das peculiaridades da psicopatologia alimentar, sem diferenças entre os subtipos de TA. Pacientes com AN e comorbidade com Pânico devem ser avaliados com mais critério / Purpose: To assess quality of life in patients with eating disorders, verify differences among eating disorder subtypes, and identify the domains of quality of life most affected by eating disorders. Methods: The World Health Organization quality-of-life assessment instrument (WHOQOL-100) was completed by 69 women with eating disorders (34 with anorexia nervosa, 26 with bulimia nervosa, and 9 with eating disorder not otherwise specified) and 69 healthy women. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) was used for the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders. Results: Patients with eating disorders reported lower (worse) total quality- of-life scores and lower scores on all quality-of-life domains (physical, psychological, social relationships, environment, level of independence, and spirituality) compared with healthy patients, with the psychological domain being the most impaired. No significant differences in impairment of quality of life were found among eating disorders subtypes. The most prevalent psychiatric comorbidities were mood disorders, alcohol or substance abuse- related disorders, and anxiety disorders. Patients with anorexia nervosa and comorbid panic disorder had greater impairment in quality of life than patients with anorexia nervosa but no panic disorder. Most patients had multiple comorbidities and history of suicide attempts. Conclusions: Patients with eating disorders experience significantly greater impairment in quality of life on all domains, especially on the psychological domain, compared with healthy patients, probably because of peculiarities in eating disorders psychopathology. No difference in quality of life impairment was observed among eating disorders subtypes. Patients with anorexia nervosa and comorbid panic disorder should be carefully evaluated

A Psicossomática se constituiu como campo de saber tendo como uma de suas principais influências as contribuições de Freud a respeito da relação entre mente e corpo. Desde Alexander até os teóricos de orientação psicanalítica mais atuais, a questão da somatização, no sentido lato, vem sendo discutida e, apesar das divergências teóricas, o que sempre está em pauta nas somatizações é o comprometimento da capacidade de simbolização do sujeito frente às vicissitudes da vida. Essa mesma característica é central nas neuroses atuais, de forma que há possível associação entre a somatização e a neurose atual. Dessa forma, os objetivos principais são verificar se esse comprometimento na capacidade de simbolização está presente e como se apresenta em sujeitos com somatização e em sujeitos com neurose atual. Para se realizar o estudo, foram eleitos dois transtornos que são representantes das categorias acima citadas: nas somatizações, vamos pensar a partir dos transtornos somatoformes, utilizando a subcategoria dos transtornos neurovegetativos somatoformes, elegendo a Síndrome do Intestino Irritável; e nas Neuroses Atuais, o Transtorno de Pânico (Neurose de Angústia). Os resultados vão permitir uma comparação, a partir da capacidade de simbolização, entre essas duas categorias e a verificação de maiores relações entre ambas, assim como relação com alexitimia, pensamento operatório e personalidade tipo A, características geralmente associadas a esses tipos de pacientes. A pesquisa foi feita a partir de estudos bibliográficos e psicodiagnóstico dos sujeitos da pesquisa, com entrevista semi-dirigida, aplicação de pranchas do TAT, escalas de alexitimia (TAS e OAS) e entrevista para Personalidade tipo A. Foram utilizados três sujeitos com Síndrome do Intestino Irritável e dois com Transtorno de Pânico. Nos sujeitos da pesquisa, quando aparece comprometimento na capacidade de simbolização, as histórias no TAT são mais curtas, descritivas, concretas, com introdução de nenhum ou poucos elementos externos à prancha, dificuldade na resolução de conflito, personagens pouco integrados, ausência de referências afetivas ou afetividade negativa, prejuízo da integração do ego, com predomínio de pensamento do tipo operatório. Pensar o comprometimento da capacidade de simbolização em pacientes com somatização a partir do pensamento operatório faz sentido, visto que os sujeitos apresentaram tal forma de pensamento, embora apresentem variações significativas na intensidade e frequência de funcionamento metal do tipo operatório. Contudo, definir o paciente com somatização ou com neurose atual necessariamente como alexitímico é insuficiente, visto que nem todos apresentaram tal característica. Pela análise de dados dos sujeitos, há pacientes os quais o comprometimento na capacidade de simbolização funciona como defesa psíquica diante da angústia, de forma a prejudicar a integração do ego em razão de manter um funcionamento mental mais estável; e há os que esse comprometimento é característico do funcionamento mental. Compreendendo o funcionamento psicológico que há por trás das somatizações o comprometimento da capacidade de simbolização e as formas como se configura na dinâmica psíquica do sujeito como defesa psíquica ou como característica do funcionamento mental pode-se estabelecer métodos de abordagens e técnicas psicoterápicas mais eficientes e condizentes com pacientes com somatizações / The Psychosomatic constituted itself as a field of knowledge has as one of his major influences the contributions of Freud on the relationship between mind and body. From Alexander to the psychoanalytic theoristis more current, the issue of somatization in the broadest sense, has been discussed and, despite the theoretical differences, is always at hand in somatization the impaired ability of symbolization of the subject facing the vicissitudes of life. This same feature is central to the actual neurosis, so that there is a possible association between somatization and actual neurosis. Thus, the main objectives are to determine if that impairment in the ability of symbolization is present and how shown in subjects with somatization and in subjects with actual neurosis. To perform the study, two disorders that are elected representatives of the categories mentioned above: in somatization, we think from the somatoform disorders, using the subcategory of somatoform autonomic dysfunction, electing the Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and in Actual Neurosis, the Panic Disorder (Anxiety Neurosis). The results will allow a comparison, from the capacity for symbolization, between these two categories and the verification of relations between the two, as well as compared with alexithymia, operational thinking and type A personality, characteristics associated with these types of patients. The survey was conducted from bibliographic studies and psychodiagnostic research subjects, with semi-directed interview, application of TAT cards scales of alexithymia (TAS and OAS) and interview for Type A Personality. We used three subjects with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and two with Panic Disorder. In the research subjects, when it appears impairment in the ability of symbolization, the TAT stories are shorter, descriptive, concrete, with few or no introduction of foreign elements to the board, difficulty in conflict resolution, low integrated characters, no references affective or negative affectivity, impaired ego integration, with a predominance of thought like operatory. Thinking the impaired ability of symbolization in patients with somatization from operational thinking makes sense, because the subjects had this way of thinking, although they have shown significant variations in intensity and frequency of operation of the metal type operatory. However, defining the patient with somatization or actual neurosis necessarily as alexithymic is insufficient, since not everyone had such a feature. For the data analysis of the subjects, there are patients who compromise the ability to symbolizing as psychic defense in the face of anguish, in order to undermine the integration of the ego to maintain a more stable mental functioning, and there are that this commitment is characteristic of mental functioning. Understanding the psychological functioning that is behind the somatization - the impaired ability of symbolization - and the ways to configure the psychic dynamics of the subject - such as defense or as a psychological characteristic of mental functioning - can establish methods of psychotherapeutic approaches and techniques more efficient and consistent with patients with somatization

O desenvolvimento de síndrome metabólica como decorrência do uso de psicofármacos vem recebendo grande atenção da literatura nos últimos anos. O uso de antipsicóticos atípicos foi fortemente associado a ganho de peso, desenvolvimento de diabetes tipo 2 e aumento da mortalidade em pacientes esquizofrênicos. Já o uso de antidepressivos, embora associado a alterações de peso, não foi suficientemente estudado quanto ao risco de desenvolvimento de síndrome metabólica. Este estudo objetivou investigar alterações do peso corporal e de parâmetros relacionados à síndrome metabólica em pacientes com transtorno de pânico tratados com clomipramina, fluoxetina ou placebo. Foi realizado um estudo randomizado, duplo-cego e controlado com 83 pacientes seguidos ao longo de 24 semanas. Foram obtidas medidas de peso, relação cintura-quadril, glicemia, e níveis séricos de colesterol total, HDL e LDL colesteróis e triglicérides. Os resultados deste estudo permitiram concluir que, no tratamento do transtorno de pânico, não foram observadas alterações significativas de peso ou dos parâmetros bioquímicos associados à síndrome metabólica / The development of metabolic syndrome as a result of psychopharmacological treatment has been a highlight in medical literature on recent years. Atypical antipsychotics have been strongly associated with weight gain, type 2 diabetes and elevated mortality rates in schizophrenic patients. Although related to weight gain, antidepressants have not been as well studied concerning the risk of metabolic syndrome development. The objective of this study was to investigate changes in weight and in parameters associated with the metabolic syndrome in patients with panic disorder treated with clomipramine, fluoxetine or placebo. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, controlled study with 83 patients during 24 weeks. Measures were obtained for weight, waist-hip rate, glicemia and serum levels of total, HDL and LDL cholesterols, and triglycerides. The results of this study allowed the conclusion that, in the treatment of panic disorder, changes on weight or on the biochemical parameters related to metabolic syndrome were not significant

Avaliar a Qualidade de Vida (QV) de pacientes com Transtornos Alimentares (TA), verificar diferenças entre os subtipos de TA e identificar dimensões de QV mais prejudicadas. Métodos: O instrumento de QV da Organização Mundial de Saúde (WHOQOL-100) foi respondido por 69 mulheres com TA (Anorexia Nervosa AN=34; Bulimia Nervosa BN=26 e Transtorno Alimentar Não Especificado TANE=9) e por 69 mulheres saudáveis. Utilizou-se a Entrevista Clínica Estruturada para Transtornos do Eixo I do DSM-IV (SCID) para a realização dos diagnósticos psiquiátricos. Resultados: Pacientes com TA apresentaram piores escores na QV geral e em todos os domínios (físico, psicológico, relações sociais, meio ambiente, nível de independência e espiritualidade), tendo sido o psicológico aquele com maior prejuízo. Não foram encontradas diferenças entre os subtipos de TA quanto aos prejuízos de QV. As comorbidades psiquiátricas encontradas com maiores prevalências foram os Transtornos do Humor, os Relacionados ao Uso de Álcool e Outras Substâncias e os de Ansiedade. Pacientes com AN e comorbidade com o Transtorno de Pânico apresentaram QV mais prejudicada que pacientes com AN sem Pânico. A maioria dos pacientes apresentava múltiplas comorbidades e histórico de diversas tentativas de suicídio. Conclusões: Pacientes com TA apresentam significativo prejuízo de QV em todos os domínios, em especial no psicológico, provavelmente em função das peculiaridades da psicopatologia alimentar, sem diferenças entre os subtipos de TA. Pacientes com AN e comorbidade com Pânico devem ser avaliados com mais critério / Purpose: To assess quality of life in patients with eating disorders, verify differences among eating disorder subtypes, and identify the domains of quality of life most affected by eating disorders. Methods: The World Health Organization quality-of-life assessment instrument (WHOQOL-100) was completed by 69 women with eating disorders (34 with anorexia nervosa, 26 with bulimia nervosa, and 9 with eating disorder not otherwise specified) and 69 healthy women. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) was used for the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders. Results: Patients with eating disorders reported lower (worse) total quality- of-life scores and lower scores on all quality-of-life domains (physical, psychological, social relationships, environment, level of independence, and spirituality) compared with healthy patients, with the psychological domain being the most impaired. No significant differences in impairment of quality of life were found among eating disorders subtypes. The most prevalent psychiatric comorbidities were mood disorders, alcohol or substance abuse- related disorders, and anxiety disorders. Patients with anorexia nervosa and comorbid panic disorder had greater impairment in quality of life than patients with anorexia nervosa but no panic disorder. Most patients had multiple comorbidities and history of suicide attempts. Conclusions: Patients with eating disorders experience significantly greater impairment in quality of life on all domains, especially on the psychological domain, compared with healthy patients, probably because of peculiarities in eating disorders psychopathology. No difference in quality of life impairment was observed among eating disorders subtypes. Patients with anorexia nervosa and comorbid panic disorder should be carefully evaluated

Background: Subtle and inconsistent differences in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity have been reported for patients with panic disorder. While these patients show little or no alterations in basal ACTH and cortisol levels, it has been hypothesized that HPA hyperresponsivity was a trait in panic patients when exposed to novel and uncontrollable stimulation. Methods: Thirty-four patients (23 females, mean age 35 yrs) diagnosed with panic disorder were compared to 34 healthy controls matched for age, gender, smoking status, and use of oral contraceptives. Both groups were exposed twice to a potent laboratory stress protocol, the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) on consecutive days. Free salivary cortisol levels and heart rate responses were repeatedly measured before and following the TSST. In addition, the cortisol awakening response (CAR) was assessed to further investigate HPA reactivity in PD patients. Results: While the TSST induced similar heart rate stress responses in both groups, cortisol responses were clearly absent in the panic patients with normal responses in the controls (F(1.96, 66) = 20.16; p < 0.001). No differences in basal cortisol levels were observed in the extended baseline period. The same cortisol stress non-response patterns were observed when patients with/without comorbid depression, or with/without psychotropic medication were compared. In contrast to their non-response to the psychosocial stressor, panic patients showed a significant CAR. Conclusion: These findings provide strong evidence to suggest that PD patients present with a striking lack of cortisol responsivity to acute uncontrollable psychosocial stress under laboratory conditions. This unresponsiveness of the HPA axis appears to be rather specific, since a normal CAR in the morning could be documented in these patients. Thus, the present results do not support the hypothesis that PD patients show a trait HPA hyperresponsiveness to novel and uncontrollable stimulation. In contrast, the data provide support for a hyporesponsive HPA axis under emotional stress in PD patients.

Objective: To examine the association between separation anxiety disorder (SAD) and mental disorders in a community sample and to evaluate whether separation anxiety is specifically related to panic disorder with and without agoraphobia. Method: The data come from a 4-year, prospective longitudinal study of a representative cohort of adolescents and young adults aged 14–24 years at baseline in Munich, Germany. The present analyses are based on a subsample of the younger cohort that completed baseline and two follow-up investigations (n = 1,090). DSM-IV diagnoses were made using the Munich Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Cox regressions with time-dependent covariates were used to examine whether prior SAD is associated with an increased risk for subsequent mental disorders. Results: Participants meeting DSM-IV criteria for SAD were at an increased risk of developing subsequent panic disorder with agoraphobia (PDAG) (HR = 18.1, 95% CI = 5.6–58.7), specific phobia (HR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.001–7.6), generalized anxiety disorder (HR = 9.4, 95% CI = 1.8–48.7), obsessive-compulsive disorder (HR = 10.7, 95% CI = 1.7–66.1), bipolar disorder (HR = 7.7, 95% CI = 2.8–20.8), pain disorder (HR = 3.5, 95% CI = 1.3–9.1), and alcohol dependence (HR = 4.7, 95% CI = 1.7–12.4). Increased hazard rates for PDAG (HR = 4.2, 95% CI = 1.4–12.1), bipolar disorder type II (HR = 8.1, 95% CI = 2.3–27.4), pain disorder (HR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.01–3.5), and alcohol dependence (HR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.1–4.) were also found for subjects fulfilling subthreshold SAD. Conclusions: Although revealing a strong association between SAD and PDAG, our results argue against a specific SAD-PDAG relationship. PDAG was neither a specific outcome nor a complete mediator variable of SAD.