Neuroticism ‘may help predict anxiety and depression disorders’

Young people with a neurotic personality are much more likely to develop both anxiety and depression disorders, according to new research from the US.

The study from Northwestern University and the University of California, Los Angeles looked at 547 participants recruited from US high schools to see whether this personality trait was associated with a greater risk of these mental conditions.

Neuroticism was shown to be an especially strong predictor of developing both conditions, while earlier research has shown the trait is also linked with substance abuse, mood and anxiety disorders.

The researchers suggested these findings underline the need for a new intervention to not only help prevent depression or anxiety disorders, but to reduce risks for both. This process could begin with a simple questionnaire to determine how neurotic a person is.

Study leader Richard Zinbarg, professor of psychology in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern, said: "It should be possible to reduce simultaneously, through a single intervention, the risk for anxiety as well as for depression and help people cope much better."