Marriage in a panic: Panic disorder and intimate relationships

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Relationship Science

Background:

• Panic disorder and agoraphobia significantly affect individuals and their intimate relationships.
• Relationship issues can trigger, modulate, maintain, or result from panic disorder and agoraphobia.
• The non-affected partner faces increased adaptive demands, potentially leading to relationship dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the intricate effects of panic disorder and agoraphobia on partnership problems.
• To examine the influence of these conditions on relationship satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of PubMed and Web of Science (1970-2020).
• Keywords included "panic disorder", "agoraphobia", "marital problems", "marital conflicts", and "marital adjustment".
• 173 relevant papers were selected after rigorous screening and review.

Main Results:

• Relationship problems can precipitate panic disorder and agoraphobia.
• These conditions negatively impact relationship dynamics and the well-being of the non-affected partner.
• Partnership issues are both a precursor and a consequence of panic disorder and agoraphobia.

Conclusions:

• Panic disorder and agoraphobia have a complex, bidirectional relationship with partnership problems.
• Addressing relationship dynamics is essential in managing panic disorder and agoraphobia.
• Further research can illuminate effective interventions for couples affected by these conditions.