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Pathological worry is thought to persist, in part, because it fosters avoidance of unpleasant internal experience. However, current models disagree as to whether worry serves that function because: (1) it suppresses high levels of autonomic arousal (AA) symptoms or (2) it leads to persistent heightened AA symptoms. In fact, pathological worry and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are linked to both high and low levels of AA symptoms. To account for this heterogeneity, we propose an integrative model, which predicts that AA symptoms vary as a function of the worrier's capacity to perform the subtle cognitive maneuver necessary to avoid such arousal. We review evidence supporting this model and report an initial test in a large college sample. Our results provide clear support for the major premise of our model: AA symptoms in worry and GAD vary as a function of individual differences in cognitive control capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Theories point to different mechanisms through which borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms may be developed and maintained: (a) emotion regulation dysfunction, (b) problematic relations, and (c) nonintegrated self. However, researchers have not investigated the relative contribution of these mechanisms simultaneously in accounting for the variance observed in BPD symptoms. Method Drawing from university students and Internet users, 462 adults (63% female, 77% Caucasian) completed self-report measures of emotion regulation, interpersonal problems, sense of self, BPD symptoms, and depressive symptoms. Results All predictors were independently associated with BPD symptoms, with emotion regulation difficulties having the strongest relation. For high BPD individuals (N = 94), emotional regulation difficulties was the only predictor uniquely associated with BPD symptoms and interpersonal problems was the sole unique predictor of depressive symptoms. Conclusion These results suggest that emotion regulation difficulties and interpersonal problems may be particularly problematic for those with high BPD symptoms in different ways. Implications and future directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To examine the efficacy and tolerability of aripiprazole treatment for acute bipolar depression. Methods: A six-week prospective, nonrandomized, open label study was conducted in depressed bipolar outpatients (types I, II, and NOS), as diagnosed by DSM-IV criteria. Previous treatments were continued unchanged, and new treatments not permitted, except lorazepam up to 2 mg daily. Aripiprazole was dosed flexibly up to a maximum of 30 mg daily, based on tolerability and efficacy. Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and Mania Rating Scale (MRS) scores were used to assess changes in mood symptoms. Side effect outcomes were measured. Data was analyzed using last observation carried forward methodology and Analysis of Variance. Results: Twenty patients (15 men, 5 women) with bipolar disorder (10 type I, 7 type II, 3 type NOS) enrolled in the study. Mean endpoint dose was 13.6 mg/d±10.0 mg/d. Thirteen (65%) patients completed 6 weeks of treatment. MADRS and MRS scores significantly improved during treatment. 44% of patients who completed at least one week of treatment were considered responders, based on ≥50% decrease in MADRS scores from baseline. Side effect measures were mostly unchanged during treatment. Conclusion: Depressive symptoms improved in bipolar patients treated with open-label aripiprazole. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The present studies focus on strategies for detecting back irrelevant responding (BIR) on the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI; L. C. Morey, 1991). Moderate BIR levels can greatly affect the clinical scales of the PAI. Further, the PAT's Inconsistency and Infrequency validity scales are less than optimal for detecting BIR. L. C. Morey and C. J. Hopwood (2004) developed an alternative strategy for detecting BIR that involves comparison of 2 scales from the PAI short-form with the same 2 scales from the PAI full-instrument. The present study examines how different BIR levels affect the clinical, treatment, and interpersonal scales of the PAI in 2 psychiatric inpatient samples. The effectiveness of various strategies for detecting BIR in an inpatient setting is also discussed. Consistent with previous research, moderate rates of BIR impacted several PAI scales in a meaningful way. The Inconsistency and Infrequency validity scales of the PAI were relatively ineffective for detecting low-to-moderate BIR levels. Con- versely, the short-form full-instrument comparison strategy was much more sensitive to BIR. Finally, a new BIR detection indicator is presented that improves sensitivity rates for detecting all BIR levels in an acute setting. The implications of these results for detecting BIR in inpatient settings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]