Phenomenology of panic disorder in youth

We compared the demographic and clinical characteristics of youth with panic disorder (PD) (n=42), non-panic anxiety (n=407), and non-anxiety psychiatric disorders (n=1,576). Subjects were recruited from a mood and anxiety disorders clinic and assessed with the KSADS-P. In this large clinical sample, approximately 2% of the patients had PD. Most of these patients were adolescent, female, and Caucasian. PD was associated frequently with comorbid bipolar disorder, MDD, and other anxiety conditions, in particular general anxiety and separation anxiety disorders. Palpitations, chest pain, faintness, and trembling/shaking were the most frequent PD symptoms. In comparison with the other groups, youths with PD were significantly slightly older, Caucasian, and have more comorbid bipolar disorder. Subjects with both panic and non-panic anxiety disorders were more likely to have comorbid major depression and conduct disorders than those with other non-anxiety disorders.