Link Between Painful Physical Symptoms and Anxiety and Depression to Be Explored During National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 5, 2003

Screening Day Set for May 7 at More Than 900 Sites Around the Country

For the first time ever, the physical impact of anxiety and depression will be explored during the annual National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day (NADSD). Scheduled for May 7 in approximately 600 cities throughout the country, organizers expect to screen thousands of people to help determine if they suffer from anxiety or depression disorders.

Sponsored by more than 15 mental health organizations, NADSD gives people across the country the opportunity to be screened for anxiety and depressive illnesses. The free and confidential program includes viewing a video, meeting with a mental health professional, completing a screening questionnaire, and receiving a variety of educational materials. The program was introduced in 1994 and has screened more than 500,000 people to date.

This year, with support from a grant from Eli Lilly & Company, a recognized leader in neuroscience treatments and research, participants in the screenings will be asked a series of questions about the physical symptoms which can accompany - or mask - anxiety and depression.

"The exploration of the link between physical symptoms and depression is an important development in our ongoing effort to guide people to effective treatment," said Mary Guardino, executive director of Freedom From Fear, a national non-profit mental illness advocacy organization, and a major sponsor of NADSD. "If people have unexplained painful physical symptoms, such as backaches, shoulder pain and headaches, they should get screened for depression. Overlooking physical symptoms can delay proper diagnosis and impact the outcome of treatment."

In a recent 18-month global study of more than 18,000 patients with depression presented in August 2002 at the World Psychiatric Association World Congress on Psychiatry in Yokohama, Japan, findings concluded:

-- 80 percent of depressed patients experienced pain

-- Patients with painful physical symptoms were 2.25 to 3.29

times as likely to experience high depressive symptoms

-- Nearly 40 percent of patients visiting primary care physicians

had symptoms of depression. Of these, 80 percent also

experienced pain

-- An increase in pain symptoms was associated with an increase

in depressive symptoms

"This is one of the largest studies of its kind to date," said Madelaine Wohlreich, MD, Eli Lilly & Company Clinical Research Physician. "The results clearly show a link between emotional and painful physical symptoms since patients with these symptoms were nearly three times more likely to also have high depressive symptoms."

For further information, and to locate a screening site in your area, visit the Freedom From Fear website at www.freedomfromfear.org. People can also learn more by calling toll-free, 888-442-2022.

Freedom From Fear

Freedom From Fear (FFF) is a national not-for-profit mental illness advocacy organization founded in 1984. The mission of FFF is to aid and counsel individuals and their families who suffer from anxiety and depressive illnesses.

Lilly Information

Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of best-in-class pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers - through medicines and information - for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Additional information about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com.

Study Information

Eli Lilly and Company sponsored the global study and Health Research Associates, Inc. served as the study administrator. The primary objective was to assess the quality of life and economic correlates of major clinical depression in primary care settings.

Current medical literature shows that only one third of the patients taking today's most widely prescribed antidepressants achieve complete remission of their symptoms. Lilly continues its search to pursue answers for the unmet medical needs that still exist in depression.