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Lifetime prevalence of panic states
1Department of Family Practice, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7795.
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|February 1, 1993
Summary
Panic attacks and limited-symptom attacks are common in the general population, with panic attacks being as prevalent as panic disorder. These symptoms affect women more frequently than men.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
- Mental Health
Background:
- Prevalence of panic disorder is known, but less is understood about panic symptoms that do not meet full diagnostic criteria.
- Understanding the spectrum of panic symptoms is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of panic disorder, panic attacks, and limited-symptom attacks in a community-based sample.
- To investigate demographic differences in the prevalence of these conditions.
Main Methods:
- A community-based sample of 1,683 randomly selected adults was interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III.
- Participants were classified based on DSM-III-R criteria for panic disorder, panic attacks (≥4 symptoms), and limited-symptom attacks (<4 symptoms).
Main Results:
- Lifetime prevalence rates were 3.8% for panic disorder, 5.6% for panic attacks, and 2.2% for limited-symptom attacks.
- Women showed higher rates of panic disorder and panic attacks compared to men.
- No significant ethnic differences were found for panic disorder or panic attacks, but non-Hispanic white subjects had higher rates of limited-symptom attacks than black subjects.
Conclusions:
- Limited-symptom attacks occurred in 2.2% of the population, with lower rates among black subjects.
- Panic attacks are as common as panic disorder and more prevalent in women.
- Findings highlight the importance of recognizing panic symptoms beyond a formal panic disorder diagnosis.