Anxious depression among the elderly: Clinical and phenomenological correlates

This study investigated clinical, historical and phenomenological correlates of anxious depression in a sample of 159 depressed elders. Regression analyses indicated that comorbidity of anxiety and depression was associated with a history of a greater number of depressive episodes, more negative stressors and with a higher self-reported average stress level over the past six months. Significant bivariate correlates also included feeling sinful, guilty, or worthless, early depressive onset and attempted suicide. The findings suggest a stress-related younger age of onset sub-type of elderly depression which is clinically distinct from late onset elderly depression.