Recent developments on panic disorder

In this article, the recent studies made on panic disorders are summarized. The age range where panic disorder is observed the most is 20-29, and it was founded that the rate of prevalence in women of these ages is two times higher than that of men. Nevertheless, it was observed that the differential between women and men reduced as the age progresses. In addition to the gender and age factors, low socio-economic level is also known to be a risk factor.

In the recent studies conducted, various risk factors were listed: Other Anxiety-related disorders (post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, phobia, separation anxiety disorder), major depression, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, delirium, paranoia, somatoform disorders and binge eating disorder were found to be in association with panic disorder.

Having a psychiatric disorder history in the family, genetic transmission, smoking, use of caffeine or other stimulants, alcohol or substance abuse, endocrinological problems, coronary heart disease, obesity, migraine, bladder pain syndrome, respiratory problems and hypermobile joints are considered to have a positive relation with panic disorder.

In a study carried out in 2010, a relation between commonly observed panic disorder symptoms and ethnic groups was reported. Accordingly, while dizziness and daze are more frequent during a panic disorder in Asian societies, the expression of fear of death is more common in Arab societies, tingling in Afro-Americans, and depersonalization symptoms in South America.

The fact that cultural and ethnic factors cause differences in the appearance of panic disorder makes think that this disorder is extremely depending on external factors.

No relations were found between education level, marital status, psychosocial structure of the family, regular physical activity, and mitral valve prolapse, which is a cardiac disease, and panic disorder.