Course of mental symptoms in young adult patients diagnosed

Abstract

Introduction: Exhaustion Disorder (ED) was admitted as a disorder in 2005. Much is still unknown concerning risk factors and why the course of illness differs considerably among individuals. Previous research did not find any differences in course of mental symptoms in younger compared to older patients with ED, however young adults have not been exclusively studied. Aim: The main aim of this study was to investigate the course of mental symptoms in young adults diagnosed with ED. Methods: Patient data was collected at a stress clinic in the years 2004-2013. 61 participants met the age criterion, 18-30 years. Mental symptoms were assessed by the 18-item Shirom-Melamed Burnout Questionnaire (SMBQ-18) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD). The patients filled in the questionnaires at baseline and on every follow-up visits after three, six, 12 and 18 months. Statistical testing and analyses were performed to investigate the course of mental symptoms. Results: Symptoms of burnout was present in 91% of the young adults, anxiety in 79% and depression in 33% at baseline. All three symptoms had significantly diminished after 18 months, and pairwise comparisons confirmed significance in decrease between baseline and three months and baseline and 18 months for all three symptoms. No sex differences could be confirmed. Among investigated factors none was found to be predictive for the course of mental illness. Conclusions: The burden of mental symptoms among young adults is major while ambulatory ill in ED. There is preponderance in proportion of female patients who suffer from anxiety. Further research on young adults is required since no conclusions can be made from this study. However, young adults seem to suffer from anxiety to a greater extent and recover faster from their mental symptoms while compared to ED patients in general. Keywords: Exhaustion disorder, Burnout, Young adults, Sex differences