Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
08:25
Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment
Published on: December 6, 2024
Panic disorder: History and epidemiology.
Summary
Panic disorder affects 2.7% and panic attacks 7.1% of the population. These common, serious conditions are more prevalent in females and linked to other psychiatric disorders, suicide risk, and significant impairment.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
- Psychology
Background:
- Panic was not always considered exclusively psychiatric.
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)-III criteria in 1980 established panic disorder.
- Prevalence estimates for panic disorder and panic attacks vary.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence, associations, and time courses of panic disorder and panic attacks.
- To assess the validity of panic disorder and panic attacks as genuine psychological phenomena.
- To examine comorbidity with other psychiatric conditions and the prognosis of panic states.
Main Methods:
- A prospective epidemiological study in Zurich, Switzerland.
- Followed 591 individuals for 15 years.
- Analyzed associations with family history, suicide risk, psychiatric treatment, impairment, and comorbid conditions.
Main Results:
- Lifetime prevalence: 2.7% for panic disorder, 7.1% for panic attacks.
- Females are significantly more likely to experience both.
- Strong associations with family history, suicide risk, psychiatric treatment, impairment, and comorbid conditions like depression and phobias.
Conclusions:
- Panic disorder and panic attacks are common, serious, and disabling.
- They are valid psychological phenomena with significant impact.
- Effective diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
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...
01:30Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic condition characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry that persists for at least six months, significantly interfering with daily functioning. Unlike situational anxiety, which arises in response to specific stressors, GAD often occurs without a clear cause. Individuals may experience disproportionate worry about work, health, or relationships. For instance, a person might continuously fear poor health despite normal medical evaluations or...
01:30Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition marked by significant mood fluctuations, including episodes of mania and depression. Elevated energy levels, heightened mood or irritability, impulsive behavior, reduced sleep needs, rapid speech, racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, and distractibility characterize mania. Individuals with bipolar disorder often alternate between depressive and manic states, with periods of emotional stability lasting an average of six months to a year.
01:27Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters, forced displacement, or severe accidents. It significantly impairs individuals' ability to cope with daily activities and disrupts their emotional and psychological equilibrium.
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events, are a...
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events, are a...
01:29Theoretical Approaches to Psychological Disorder
The development of psychological disorders, which are characterized by deviant, maladaptive, and personally distressing behaviors, has been explored through several theoretical approaches.
Biological approach
The biological approach posits that internal, organic factors are the primary causes of such disorders. This perspective emphasizes brain structure and function, genetic predispositions, and neurotransmitter imbalances. For example, schizophrenia has been associated with both genetic...
Biological approach
The biological approach posits that internal, organic factors are the primary causes of such disorders. This perspective emphasizes brain structure and function, genetic predispositions, and neurotransmitter imbalances. For example, schizophrenia has been associated with both genetic...
01:27Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) serves as the primary classification system for mental health disorders, providing standardized diagnostic criteria for clinicians and researchers. First published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in 1952, the DSM has undergone several revisions to reflect evolving psychiatric understanding. The fifth edition, DSM-5, released in 2013, introduced key updates that expanded diagnostic categories and modified diagnostic...