DSM-III-R co-morbidity in benzodiazepine dependence

Aim, sample and measures. Co-morbidity has been shown to influence the clin ical course of mental disorders. This paper describes DSM-III-R 1-month co- morbidity across axes I, II and III in a sample of 153 benzodiazepine depen dants. All patients were evaluated through several in-depth clinical interv iews across all five DSM-III-R axes. Results. Extensive co-morbidity existe d across three DSM-III-R axes. All patients had at least one diagnosis in a xis I; 81 (52.9%) in axis II and 50 (32.7%) ill axis Ill. The most Prevalen t diagnoses were: insomnia, anxiety disorders and affective disorders in ax is I; obsessive-compulsive, histrionic and dependent personality disorders in axis II and rheumatological, neurological and cardiovascular disorders i ll axis III. Conclusions. There were no cases of benzodiazepine dependence appearing alone. There were associations within and between axes, suggestin g potential predisposing factors and a sequential model for benzodiazepine dependence is proposed. The findings reinforce the need for exhaustive diag nostic evaluation of patients prior to prescribing benzodiazepine.