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Dependent personality disorder associated with phobic avoidance in patients with panic disorder
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|March 1, 1987
Summary
Patients with panic disorder and phobic avoidance show higher rates of dependent and third-cluster personality disorders. Social phobic symptoms did not significantly alter these personality findings.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Personality Disorders
Background:
- Panic disorder is a significant mental health concern.
- Phobic avoidance is a common comorbidity in panic disorder.
- Understanding the personality profiles of panic disorder patients is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the extent of phobic avoidance in panic disorder patients and their personality disorder profiles.
- To compare personality characteristics across different levels of phobic avoidance.
- To examine if social phobic symptoms influence personality traits in panic disorder.
Main Methods:
- Eighty-eight panic disorder patients were categorized into three groups based on phobic avoidance severity (none, limited, extensive).
- Three validated personality disorder instruments were utilized: Structured Interview for DSM-III Personality Disorders, Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire, and Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory.
- Statistical comparisons were performed between the groups to identify significant differences in personality disorder diagnoses.
Main Results:
- Panic disorder patients with phobic avoidance exhibited significantly higher rates of dependent personality disorder compared to nonphobic patients.
- A significant association was found between phobic avoidance and DSM-III third-cluster personality disorders (e.g., borderline, histrionic, narcissistic).
- Patients with social phobic symptoms did not differ in personality profiles from the broader phobic panic disorder group.
Conclusions:
- Phobic avoidance in panic disorder is strongly linked to specific personality traits, particularly dependent and third-cluster personality disorders.
- These findings highlight the importance of assessing personality in panic disorder patients with phobic avoidance.
- The results suggest a consistent personality profile across different types of phobic avoidance within panic disorder.