Sexual dysfunction in female patients with panic disorder alone or with accompanying depression

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate sexual dysfunction in female patients with panic disorder and to investigate the impact of accompanying depression with regard to sexual dysfunction. Method. Twelve patients who met the diagnostic criteria for panic disorder without depression (P) and 28 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for panic disorder with depression (PD) were compared to 13 control cases (C). Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) was used to measure sexual experience. Results. ASEX scores were significantly different between the three groups (P=0.001). In two group comparisons sexual desire and aversion subscores of ASEX were significantly decreased in group PD when compared with groups P and C (P=0.01). Also, our results show that the difference of orgasmic experience subscore of ASEX in groups PD and C was found to be statistically significant (P=0.01). On the other hand, there was no statistical difference between P and PD groups in terms of orgasmic experience (P=0.16). Conclusion. These results suggest that decreased sexual desire and high sexual aversion may be presenting symptoms of depression in patients with panic disorder. If there is no depression, patients with panic disorder should be questioned especially for orgasmic problems.