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Panic disorder or social phobia: which is worse?
G R Norton1, L McLeod, J Guertin
1Department of Psychology, University of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Behaviour Research and Therapy
|March 1, 1996
Summary
Social phobia patients were more educated but had higher rates of unemployment and alcohol abuse compared to panic disorder patients. Both groups showed similar rates of major affective disorder and suicide attempts.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Panic disorder (PD) and social phobia (SP) are distinct anxiety disorders.
- Understanding demographic and psychopathological differences is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare patients with panic disorder and social phobia on demographic and psychopathology measures.
- To identify specific characteristics that differentiate these two patient groups.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study involving 28 patients with panic disorder and 30 with social phobia.
- Assessment of demographic variables and psychopathology measures, including the Brief Michigan Alcohol Screening Test.
Main Results:
- Patients with social phobia had higher educational attainment but were more likely to be single, live alone, and be unemployed.
- No significant differences were found between PD and SP groups regarding lifetime major affective disorder or past suicide attempts.
- A greater proportion of patients with social phobia screened positive for alcohol abuse problems.
Conclusions:
- Social phobia patients exhibit a distinct demographic profile and a higher prevalence of alcohol abuse compared to panic disorder patients.
- These findings highlight the need for tailored treatment approaches considering the unique characteristics of each disorder.