THE PREVALENCE OF MAJOR ANXIETY DISORDERS IN RELATIVES OF ALCOHOL-DEPENDENT MEN AND WOMEN

Objective: The relationship between alcohol dependence and lifelong ma jor anxiety disorders is complex. The literature indicates a close ass ociation between anxiety symptoms and drinking behavior. However, it i s difficult to determine whether the anxiety conditions are lifelong d isorders or if they represent temporary organic conditions related to alcohol intoxication and withdrawal. One approach to under standing mo re about the relationships between alcohol dependence and major anxiet y disorders is to observe the rate of anxiety-related diagnoses in clo se relatives of alcoholics. This approach evaluates whether alcoholism and major anxiety disorders might share a common genetic basis, Metho d: The data presented here describe the rates of four major anxiety di sorders in 591 interviewed first-degree relatives of alcohol de penden t men and women. The data were gathered through face-to-face structure d standardized interviews. Results: The analyses reveal that after foc using on DSM-III-R anxiety disorders, controlling for the potential pr esence of temporary organic conditions in the subject and considering the impact of assortative mating in their parents, the lifetime risk f or panic disorder in close biological family members of alcoholics is 3.4%; for agoraphobia, 1.4%; for social phobia, 2.3%; and for obsessiv e-compulsive disease. 1.4%. Conclusions: These data do not indicate an exceptionally high rate of anxiety disorders among dose relatives of alcoholics. While other mechanisms might contribute to relationship be tween alcoholism and major anxiety disorders, the results do nor suppo rt evidence of a common genotype For the two disorders.