Seasonality in panic disorder

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Chronobiology

Background:

• Clinical observations noted increased anxiety and mood changes during winter in panic disorder patients.
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a recognized mood disorder linked to seasonal variations.
• Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and anxiety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of seasonality and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in patients with panic disorder.
• To explore potential seasonal variations in anxiety and panic attack frequency within this patient group.
• To examine the possibility of a shared etiology between panic disorder and SAD.

Main Methods:

• 133 patients diagnosed with panic disorder completed the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ).
• Global Seasonality Scores (GSS) were calculated to assess overall seasonal influence.
• Prevalence of SAD and seasonal changes in panic attack frequency were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Panic disorder patients exhibited significantly higher Global Seasonality Scores (GSS) compared to general population norms.
• The prevalence of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) was notably higher in this cohort.
• Significant seasonal variations were observed in anxiety symptoms and the frequency of panic attacks.

Conclusions:

• Seasonality appears to be a more prevalent phenomenon in psychopathology than previously recognized.
• Findings suggest a potential common underlying etiology for panic disorder and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
• Light therapy may represent a viable treatment option for a subset of panic disorder patients experiencing seasonal exacerbations.