The Zurich Study. XIII. Recurrent brief anxiety.

In the epidemiological Zurich cohort study a syndrome of 'Recurrent Brief Anxiety' (RBA) was identified and operationalized. It had a 1-year prevalence rate of 2.7, males seemed to prevail slightly. RBA was highly associated with 'Recurrent Brief Depression' (RBD) and panic, and to a minor extent with agoraphobia and dysthymia. The family history was positive for depression and anxiety (panic, generalized anxiety disorder). In studies of panic, one should look for the frequently associated syndromes of RBA and RBD.