Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026
11:18
Using the Threat Probability Task to Assess Anxiety and Fear During Uncertain and Certain Threat
Published on: September 12, 2014
[Psychoactive drugs use in patients with panic disorder]
F Arias Horcajadas1, S Sánchez Romero, J Padín Calo
1Unidad de Psiquiatría, Fundación Hospital Alcorcón, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain. farias@fhalcorcon.es
Actas Espanolas De Psiquiatria
|May 27, 2005
Summary
Panic disorder patients exhibit high rates of nicotine and caffeine use, with lower caffeine consumption compared to controls. Drug use did not impact clinical outcomes but may influence antidepressant dosages.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Panic disorder is a significant mental health condition.
- Understanding substance use patterns in panic disorder is crucial for effective treatment.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated the prevalence and impact of drug use in this population.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of lifetime drug use among outpatients with panic disorder.
- To investigate the influence of drug use on the clinical evolution and therapeutic response in panic disorder.
- To compare drug use patterns between panic disorder patients and a control group with other psychiatric disorders.
Summary:
- Prevalence rates for lifetime substance use in panic disorder outpatients were 13% for alcohol, 52% for nicotine, and 47% for caffeine.
- Panic disorder patients consumed less caffeine than controls, with no significant differences in alcohol or nicotine use.
- No differences in clinical manifestations or treatment response were observed between users and non-users, although caffeine use correlated with higher antidepressant dosages.
Impact:
- Findings suggest that while drug use may not directly alter panic disorder outcomes, it can influence medication management.
- Highlights the need for routine screening of substance use in panic disorder patients.
- Informs clinical practice regarding potential interactions between substance use and psychotropic medications.
Related Concept Videos
01:22CNS Stimulants: Psychedelic Agents
Hallucinogens, also known as psychedelic drugs, are a class of substances known for their ability to alter perception, cognition, and emotions. Despite their profound effects on the mind, these drugs are non-addictive, setting them apart from many other abused substances. The mechanism of action of these drugs lies in their impact on the 5-HT2A receptor in the brain. Upon activation, this receptor couples to Gq-type G proteins, triggering a cascade that releases intracellular calcium. This...
01:23Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
Atypical antidepressants, including bupropion (Wellbutrin), mirtazapine (Remeron), nefazodone (Serzone), trazodone (Desyrel), and vilazodone (Viibryd), offer unique mechanisms of action. Bupropion weakly inhibits dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake, aiding depression treatment and smoking cessation, with a low risk of sexual dysfunction. Mirtazapine enhances serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmission, leading to sedation, increased appetite, and weight gain. As a result, it helps treat...
01:26Anxiolytic Drugs: Overview
Anxiolytic drugs are vital in managing anxiety disorders by effectively alleviating symptoms such as excessive fear, tachycardia, and tremors. There are several classes of anxiolytic medications, each with unique mechanisms of action and potential side effects.
Primary Types of Anxiolytic Drugs
1. Benzodiazepines:
Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-A receptor in the brain, enhancing GABA's interaction. This action reduces neurotransmission, effectively blocking anxiety-associated limbic circuitry.
Primary Types of Anxiolytic Drugs
1. Benzodiazepines:
Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-A receptor in the brain, enhancing GABA's interaction. This action reduces neurotransmission, effectively blocking anxiety-associated limbic circuitry.
01:29Anxiolytic Drugs: Benzodiazepines and Buspirone
Benzodiazepines are a class of anxiolytic drugs known for their rapid efficacy and high therapeutic-to-lethal dose ratio, but with a potential risk of drug dependence. These drugs are lipophilic, allowing for rapid absorption after oral administration, eventually reaching the central nervous system (CNS). Once in the CNS, benzodiazepines bind to the allosteric site of the GABAA receptor. This binding enhances the inhibitory effects of the neurotransmitter GABA. By doing so, they prevent...
01:27Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and sudden minutes-long episodes of intense fear, known as panic attacks. These attacks may feel like heart attacks and often happen without warning or a specific cause. They can include symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, chest pain, trembling, sweating, dizziness, and a sense of helplessness. During a panic attack, individuals may feel as though they are experiencing a heart attack or are in a...
01:28Drug Therapy
The advent of drug therapy has profoundly shaped modern mental health care, providing targeted treatments for a range of psychological disorders. Psychotherapeutic drugs, classified into antianxiety, antidepressant, and antipsychotic medications, address symptoms across anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia. While these medications have transformed patient outcomes, they require careful management due to their potential side effects and limitations.
Antianxiety Medications
Antianxiety Medications