Comparison of Anxiety and Quality of Life in Patients with Severe and Mild Depression

This study aimed to compare levels of anxiety and quality of life in patients with severe and mild depression.

In a causal-comparative design, 271 patients with Major Depressive Disorder were selected using convenience sampling method and based on the Structured Clinical Interview and then, they were asked to complete New Multidimensional Depression Assessment Scale, Short Form Health Survey, and Beck Anxiety Inventory. In the next phase, 92 patients whose scores on the New Multidimensional Depression Assessment Scale were two standard deviations above and below the mean were selected as severe (n= 40) and mild depressed patients (n= 52).

Currents findings indicated a significant difference between two groups in the levels of anxiety and quality of life in that compared to mild depressed patients, patients with severe depression reported more anxiety (F= 16/74) and lower levels of quality of life in both physical (F= 15/01) and psychological (F= 20/96) dimensions.

Given the findings of this study, in the treatment of depression, addressing anxiety problems and helping severe depressed patients to improve their quality of life is of great importance.