Anxiety Disorders: Waxman R

Samet S, Waxman R, Hatzenbuehler M, Hasin DS. · New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York 10032, USA. · Addict Sci Clin Pract. · Pubmed #18292706 links to  free full text

Abstract: Efficient, organized assessment of substance use disorders is essential for clinical research, treatment planning, and referral to adjunctive services. In this article, we discuss the basic concepts of formalized assessment for substance abuse and addiction, as established by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision, and describe six widely used structured assessment instruments. Our aim is to help researchers and clinical programs identify the instruments that best suit their particular situations and purposes.

Hasin D, Samet S, Nunes E, Meydan J, Matseoane K, Waxman R. · Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Dr., Box 123, New York, NY 10032, USA. · Am J Psychiatry. · Pubmed #16585445 links to  free full text

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The authors used the Psychiatric Research Interview for Substance and Mental Disorders for DSM-IV (PRISM-IV) to test the reliability of DSM-IV-defined disorders, including primary and substance-induced disorders, in substance-abusing subjects. METHOD: Substance-abusing patients (N=285) from substance abuse/dual-diagnosis treatment settings and mental health treatment settings participated in test and blind retest interviews with the PRISM-IV, which includes specific guidelines for assessment of substance abusers. RESULTS: Kappas for primary and substance-induced major depressive disorder ranged from 0.66 to 0.75. Reliability for psychotic disorders, eating disorders, antisocial personality disorder, and borderline personality disorder was in the same range. Reliability for most anxiety disorders was lower. Reliability was good to excellent (kappas >/=0.65) for most substance dependence disorders. Continuous measures (severity, age at onset) had intraclass correlation coefficients >0.70 with few exceptions. Reliability was better for primary than for substance-induced disorders, although not greatly so. CONCLUSION: Most DSM-IV psychiatric disorders can be assessed in substance-abusing subjects with acceptable to excellent reliability by using specifically designed procedures. Good reliability improves the likelihood of significant study results.