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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Using the Threat Probability Task to Assess Anxiety and Fear During Uncertain and Certain Threat

Using the Threat Probability Task to Assess Anxiety and Fear During Uncertain and Certain Threat

Published on: September 12, 2014

Photosensitivity and panic-agoraphobic spectrum: a pilot study.

Letizia Bossini¹, Ellen Frank, Giulia Campinoti

¹Department of Neuroscience, University of Siena, Italy. bossini2@unisi.it

Rivista Di Psichiatria

|June 11, 2013

Summary

Panic disorder patients exhibit increased photophobia (light sensitivity) and decreased photophilia (light preference) compared to healthy individuals. This heightened light sensitivity strongly correlates with panic symptom severity.

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Area of Science:

Psychiatry
Neuroscience
Ophthalmology

Background:

Panic disorder (PD) is a prevalent mental health condition.
Photosensitivity, encompassing photophobia and photophilia, has been anecdotally linked to PD.
The relationship between PD and photosensitivity requires systematic investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare photosensitivity levels in patients with panic disorder versus healthy controls.
To examine the correlation between photosensitivity and the severity of panic and agoraphobic symptoms.

Main Methods:

Administered the Panic-Agoraphobic Spectrum Self-Report (PAS-SR) and Photosensitivity Assessment Questionnaires.
Recruited 24 PD subjects and 33 healthy controls for the study.
Utilized validated questionnaires to quantify photosensitivity and panic symptoms.

Main Results:

PD patients reported significantly higher levels of photophobia compared to controls.
PD patients demonstrated significantly lower levels of photophilia than healthy controls.
A positive correlation was observed between the total PAS-SR score and the photophobia score.

Conclusions:

This study establishes a significant association between panic disorder and photophobia.
The directionality of the relationship between PD and photophobia remains undetermined.
Further research is recommended to explore the role of light stimuli in PD onset and progression.