Panic Disorder and Depression(Bases and Clinical Practice of Anxiety and Depression)

Abstract

There has long been interest in and debate about the relationship between affective disorders and anxiety disorders, and this is especially true of panic disorder. A number of reviewers have examined the prevalence of depressive comorbidity, and their conclusions are highly supportive of the observation that panic disorder and depressive disorders co-occur at very high rates. Reviews find these rates to range from 22〜91%. Most reviewers have found that when the disorders of depression and panic co-occur, they are more severe than when either syndrome occurs alone. And, in individuals with both depressive disorder and panic disorder, social disability and attempt of suicide or suicide behavior are increased when compared to individuals with either disorder alone. In our out-patients, 30 patients with comorbid depressive disorder and panic disorder are studied. All patients show high scores(over 40 points) in SDS and are diagnosed as having depressive disorder and panic disorder by 2 doctors. After drug therapy for 8 weeks at least, the condition of 26 patients has made a change for the better.