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Background Anxiety disorders commonly co-occur with suicidal ideation (SI). To our knowledge, no studies have reported on the baseline prevalence of SI and the reduction in SI in a naturalistic sample receiving cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for anxiety-related disorders. Methods Participants (n = 355) recruited from an anxiety specialty clinic reported SI at pre-, mid-, and post-CBT. Multilevel mixed effects logistic regression models compared differences in SI endorsement over Time. Results Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD) were associated with significantly elevated baseline SI relative to specific phobia. PTSD and unspecified anxiety-related disorders were associated with significant reductions in SI, whereas reductions in SAD, GAD, OCD, and panic disorder did not reach significance. Rates of new onset and exacerbation of SI were low. Discussion CBT for anxiety disorders was associated with significant reductions in SI over time, with no evidence for exacerbation of suicide risk. Clinical implications are discussed, as well as future research directions to further understand the effect of anxiety disorder treatments on SI.

This study aimed to determine the unique impact of PTSD symptoms, beyond other frequently examined factors on physical and mental health functioning in a sample of returning veterans. Assessments of 168 returning OEF/OIF veterans conducted an average of six months following return from deployment included measures of emotional disorders and the Short Form (36) Health Survey. Hierarchical multiple regressions revealed significant, unique contribution of Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) score above all other predictors in the model (demographics, severity of trauma exposure, physical injury, substance abuse and depressive symptoms), for both the physical (8%) and mental (6%) health aggregate scores, along with significant prediction of physical health (4-10%) and mental health (3-7%) subscale scores. The only other significant predictors were age for physical health scores, and depressive symptoms for mental health scores. PTSD criterion B (re-experiencing) symptoms uniquely predicted reduced physical health functioning and higher experience of bodily pain, while criterion D (hyperarousal) symptoms uniquely predicted lower feelings of energy/vitality and poorer perceptions of emotional health.

Previous research has shown racial/ethnic differences in Vietnam veterans on symptoms related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The current study explored racial/ethnic differences in PTSD symptoms and clinically relevant symptoms. Resilience and social support were tested as potential moderators of racial/ethnic differences in symptoms. The sample included 303 active duty male service members seeking treatment for PTSD. After controlling for age, education, military grade, and combat exposure, Hispanic/Latino and African American service members reported greater PTSD symptoms compared to non-Hispanic White service members. Higher alcohol consumption was endorsed by Hispanic/Latino service members compared to non-Hispanic White or African American service members, even after controlling for PTSD symptom severity. No racial/ethnic differences were found with regard to other variables. These results suggest that care should be made to thoroughly assess PTSD patients, especially those belonging to minority groups, for concurrent substance use problems that may impede treatment utilization or adherence.

The goal of this study was to examine the role of rejection sensitivity in the relationship between social anxiety and body dysmorphic concerns. To test our hypothesis that rejection sensitivity mediates the link between social anxiety and body dysmorphic concerns, we administered self-report questionnaires to 209 student volunteers. Consistent with our prediction, rejection sensitivity partially mediated the relationship between social anxiety symptoms and body dysmorphic concerns. The implications of the overlap between these constructs are discussed.