Styles of adaptation in panic disorder with and without agoraphobia.

Abstract

Two groups of women with a main DSM-IV diagnosis of panic disorder, one with and one without agoraphobia (respectively, n = 26 and n = 14) were compared on several clinical variables. Forward logistic regressions were run for the presence of agoraphobia. Age of onset, duration of illness, presence of major depressions, and cluster classification on Axis II did not predict the criterion variable. Diagnosis and scores on avoidant personality disorder led, respectively, to 65% and 72.5% rates of correct classifications. Among panic symptoms, fear of going crazy and palpitations significantly predicted agoraphobia (75% of correct allocations). Three adaptive variables assessed by the Serial Color-Word Test (a serial version of the Stroop task) led to a 90% rate of correct classification. Agoraphobic patients were mainly characterized by an anxious or over-controlling style, which permitted a pseudo-objective mastery of the conflict situation. The findings seem to support the clinical relevance of the Serial Color-Word Test.