Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Yonkers, K. A. Articles by Keller, M. B. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Yonkers, K. A. Articles by Keller, M. B.

Is the Course of Panic Disorder the Same in Women and Men?

OBJECTIVE: Panic disorder with or without agoraphobia has a chronic relapsing course. Factors associated with poor outcome include early onset of illness and phobic avoidance. Several, but not all, authors have found a worse clinical course for women. Using observational, longitudinal data from the Harvard/Brown Anxiety Disorders Research Program, the authors analyzed remission and symptom recurrence rates in panic patients with respect to sex. METHOD: Male and female patients (N=412) in an episode of panic with or without agoraphobia were assessed by structured interview and prospectively followed for up to 5 years. Data on remission, symptom recurrence, and comorbid psychiatric conditions for each sex were compared. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between men and women in panic symptoms or level of severity at baseline. Women were more likely to have panic with agoraphobia (85% versus 75%), while men were more likely to have uncomplicated panic (25% versus 15%). The rates of remission for panic with or without agoraphobia at 5 years were equivalent in men and women (39%). Of the subjects who achieved remission, 25% of the women and 15% of the men reexperienced symptoms by 6 months. Recurrence of panic symptoms continued to be higher in women (82%) than men (51%) during the follow-up period and was not influenced by concurrent agoraphobia. CONCLUSIONS: This study extends previous findings by showing that not only are women more likely to have panic with concurrent agoraphobia, but they are more likely than men to suffer a recurrence of panic symptoms after remission of panic.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. H. FRIEDLANDER, S. R. MARDER, E. C. SUNG, and J. S. CHILD Panic disorder: Psychopathology, medical management and dental implications J Am Dent Assoc, June 1, 2004; 135(6): 771 - 778. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. I. Sheikh, G. A. Leskin, and D. F. Klein Gender Differences in Panic Disorder: Findings From the National Comorbidity Survey Am J Psychiatry, January 1, 2002; 159(1): 55 - 58. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. A. Yonkers, I. R. Dyck, and M. B. Keller An Eight-Year Longitudinal Comparison of Clinical Course and Characteristics of Social Phobia Among Men and Women Psychiatr Serv, May 1, 2001; 52(5): 637 - 643. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Women and Panic Disorder: Higher Risk, Higher Rate of Recurrence Journal Watch Women's Health, June 1, 1998; 1998(601): 23 - 23. [Full Text]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 1998 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us