Psychiatry Research EG

Aim The purpose of the present study was to compare stresses in both addiction and depression during adolescence and to determine different types of coping styles used by these patients. Objective Given the growing preclinical evidence that supports the key role of stress in addiction and depression during adolescence, this research examines empirical evidence on stress that may play a role in addiction and depression, and it also compares different types of stress and coping mechanism in both studied patients. Patients and methods The study included 30 addict patients representing as group I, and they were assessed by Addiction Severity Index. Moreover, 30 patients diagnosed as having major depressive disorder were included as group II who were assessed by Hamilton rating scale for depression. Both groups were subjected to Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV and assessed by life event stressors and coping processes scale. Results The occurrence rate of various psychosocial stressors in depressive patients was higher than that of addict participants. Overall, 6.7% of the patients in the addictive group had anxiety disorders, whereas 43.3% in the depressive group had anxiety disorders and 6.7% had comorbid psychotic disorders, with a statistically significant difference. In comparison to depressive subjects who use denial coping, addictive group made more use of avoidant-coping strategies (helplessness and mental disengagement) and the socially supported strategies (social support and emotional discharge) and emotion-focus coping strategies (positive reinterpretation and information). Conclusion Adolescent patients with depression were exposed to more stressful life events than addictive group. Addictive group resorted to more ineffective coping strategies, whereas depressive group used mainly denial as a coping strategy.