Panic disorder: Residual symptoms after the acute attacks abate

Abstract

Patients with a past history of panic disorder who were no longer suffering from acute anxiety attacks were compared to patients who had never experienced anxiety attacks. Patients with past panic attacks had significantly higher anxiety and depression scores on psychological tests, as well as significantly more social phobias and avoidance behavior, than the controls who had never suffered anxiety attacks. Like patients with dysthymic disorder with episodes of superimposed major depression, there appears to be a subgroup of patients who recover from panic disorder, but are left with significant residual symptoms of anxiety, depression, and phobias. More research needs to be focused on the longitudinal course of panic disorder in order to enhance understanding of the relationship among the anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety, social phobia, agoraphobic, and panic disorder) as well as major affective disorder.