Mind wandering in anxiety disorders: A status report

Many investigations have targeted the subject of worry in anxiety disorders. Worry can be regarded as a subtype of mind wandering (MW), which is undeliberate, perseverative, negatively-valenced, and mainly future-oriented. Nevertheless, until now only a few studies have explored the role of overall MW in the origin and course of anxiety disorders. To foster progress in this field, we briefly describe and discuss relevant studies addressing MW in subjects with anxiety disorders or symptoms or disorders associated with anxiety symptoms. Provisional synthesis suggests that: a) the overall amount of MW is positively correlated with anxiety symptoms; b) MW characteristics reflecting worry and rumination appear to be relevant in anxiety; c) comorbid depressive and ADHD symptoms may contribute to excessive MW in anxiety; d) MW-related therapeutic interventions may be useful as complementary treatments in anxiety disorders. However, more studies related to MW in anxiety disorders or symptoms are necessary to corroborate and extend these initial findings. Such investigations should ideally combine experience sampling with self-rating assessments of both MW and worry/rumination. •Overall amount of mind wandering is positively correlated with anxiety symptoms.•Thought characteristics reflecting worry/ rumination are most relevant in anxiety.•Comorbid depressive and ADHD symptoms may contribute to mind wandering in anxiety.•Mind wandering-related therapeutic interventions may be useful in anxiety disorders.•Integration of mind wandering and worry/rumination-related approaches of importance.