Family Psychiatric Histories in Male Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder

It has been hypothesized, from twin study results in females, that the genetic predisposition in females for major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is identical. This report attempted to replicate these findings on a male population using family history methods. There were 119 subjects who completed standardized assessment of Axis I, Axis II, and family history. The family history of four groups was compared--GAD without MDD, MDD without GAD, GAD/MDD, and normals. As expected, GAD and MDD subjects showed trends toward more MDD family history than normals. The GAD and MDD groups showed only trend differences in family history of relatives. Unexpectedly, however, the MDD/GAD group had no higher level of either anxiety or depressive family history than normals (although they did have higher levels of personality family history). Both the GAD and the MDD groups had a significantly higher level of family history of depression than the GAD/MDD group. Within the limits of the family history method, the finding of similarity of the family predisposition of MDD and GAD was confirmed in a male population. However, it does appear that the combined disorder of MDD/GAD in clinical settings might have very different family history predispositions and possibly could be a separate disorder from both MDD and GAD when they are not comorbid.