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Anxiety and the menstrual cycle in panic disorder
B L Cook1, R Noyes, M J Garvey
1Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA.
Journal of Affective Disorders
|July 1, 1990
Summary
Women with panic disorder reported increased anxiety premenstrually, but daily tracking did not consistently confirm this. Further research is needed to understand panic disorder and menstrual cycle connections.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Gynecology
- Women's Health
Background:
- Panic disorder is a debilitating anxiety condition.
- Premenstrual symptoms can significantly impact women's mental health.
- The relationship between panic disorder and the menstrual cycle requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between panic disorder symptoms and the menstrual cycle.
- To examine premenstrual dysphoric symptoms in women with panic disorder.
Main Methods:
- Nineteen females with panic disorder participated.
- Daily prospective home diary ratings of anxiety and general health were collected over 60 days.
- Menstrual cycle data and panic attack severity were recorded.
Main Results:
- Subjects retrospectively reported increased anxiety during premenstrual days.
- Daily prospective ratings did not consistently demonstrate increased anxiety premenstrually.
- Data from 30 menstrual cycles were analyzed.
Conclusions:
- While retrospective reports suggest a premenstrual increase in anxiety for panic disorder patients, daily prospective data did not consistently support this finding.
- The link between panic disorder and premenstrual symptom exacerbation needs more rigorous investigation.