The course and clinical correlates of panic disorder during the postpartum period: a naturalistic observational study
Semra Aydogan1, Faruk Uguz1, Eda Yakut2
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Necmettin Erbakan, Meram Faculty of Medicine Konya, Konya, Turkey.
Objective:
To investigate the course of panic disorder and its demographic and clinical correlates during the postpartum period.
Methods:
Data were collected from 38 consecutive postpartum women diagnosed with panic disorder. Psychiatric assessments were carried out on the first day after delivery and at 6-8 weeks postpartum. During the first assessment, the Panic and Agoraphobia Scale (PAS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) were administered to the participants. PAS was also administered at the second assessment.
Results:
The mean PAS score reduced significantly from baseline to the second assessment. Logistic regression analysis indicated that a shorter duration of panic disorder independently predicted a ≥ 50-point decrease in the severity of panic symptoms during the postpartum period.
Conclusion:
These findings suggest that patients with a short duration of illness may experience significant alleviation in the severity of panic symptoms during the postpartum period.
Related Concept Videos
Panic Disorder
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
Naturalistic Observations
Preparedness and Phobias
Anxiety: Overview
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder


