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Suicide, chemical abuse, and panic attacks: a preliminary report
G R Norton1, G E Rockman, B Luy
1Department of Psychology, University of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Behaviour Research and Therapy
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Chemical abuse patients with panic disorder (PD) were more likely to be female and attempt suicide. Suicide attempters were more likely to have PD and be unmarried. Infrequent panic attack (IP) and no panic attack (NP) groups showed no differences.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Panic disorder (PD) is a recognized psychiatric condition.
- Co-occurrence of panic disorder and chemical abuse is a significant clinical concern.
- Understanding the characteristics of patients with both conditions is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare chemical abuse patients with and without panic disorder on demographic and clinical variables.
- To investigate the relationship between suicide attempts and panic disorder in chemical abuse patients.
- To identify potential differences between patients with infrequent panic attacks and those with no panic attacks.
Main Methods:
- Seventy-two chemical abuse patients were categorized into three groups: panic disorder (PD), infrequent panic attacks (IP), and no panic attacks (NP) based on DSM-III-R criteria.
- Patients were compared across several dimensions, including gender, marital status, and history of suicide attempts.
- Statistical comparisons were made between the PD group and the other groups, as well as between suicide attempters and non-attempters.
Main Results:
- Patients with panic disorder (PD) were significantly more likely to be female and to have a history of suicide attempts compared to those without PD.
- Among chemical abuse patients, those who had attempted suicide were more likely to be classified as having PD and to be non-married.
- No significant differences were found between the infrequent panic attack (IP) and no panic attack (NP) groups on the variables studied.
Conclusions:
- Panic disorder is associated with specific demographic and clinical features in chemical abuse patients, notably higher rates of female gender and suicide attempts.
- Suicide attempts in this population are linked to the presence of panic disorder and non-married status.
- Further research is warranted to explore the complex interplay between panic disorder, chemical abuse, and suicidal behavior.