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The development of agoraphobia in panic disorder: a predictable process?
G Langs1, F Quehenberger, K Fabisch
1Universitätsklinik für Psychiatrie, Graz, Germany.
Journal of Affective Disorders
|April 13, 2000
Summary
Specific factors influence the development of agoraphobia in panic disorder patients. Early onset and fear of losing control are linked to agoraphobia, differentiating it from panic disorder without agoraphobia.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Anxiety Disorders
Background:
- Panic attacks are central to panic disorder with (PDA) and without agoraphobia (PDU).
- A significant portion of panic patients do not develop avoidance behaviors.
- Factors beyond general panic attacks likely influence disorder trajectories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate variables influencing the development of agoraphobia in panic disorder patients.
- To differentiate between panic disorder with agoraphobia (PDA) and panic disorder without agoraphobia (PDU).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of data from 84 outpatients with PDU or PDA.
- Examined hypothesized factors contributing to agoraphobia development.
Main Results:
- 'Earlier age of onset', 'fear of losing control', and 'chills or hot flushes' significantly correlated with PDA.
- 'Chest pain or discomfort' was more frequent in PDU.
Conclusions:
- The development of agoraphobia in panic disorder is not random.
- Specific patient variables predict agoraphobia development.
- Retrospective data was utilized in this study.