Panic Attacks and Their Relation to Psychological and Physical Functioning in Canadians: Results from a Nationally Representative Sample

Abstract

Though associated with less severe impairment than PD in some domains, PAs are associated with mental health problems and reduced overall psychological and physical functioning and may be an indicator of more severe psychopathology.

Panic attacks as a risk for later psychopathology: results from a nationally representative survey

“…This finding highlights the importance of panic attacks as a risk factor for more severe mental health problems. The results are consistent with findings from previous studies linking panic attacks to increased psychopathology, [1,2,17] and extend these findings to a very large longitudinal sample of adults. [22,23] No significant associations were found between panic attacks and substance use disorder.…”

“…[22,23] No significant associations were found between panic attacks and substance use disorder. Some previous studies have found positive associations between substance use and panic attacks, [1,2,12,22] whereas others have found no association after adjusting for confounding factors, such as nicotine use and comorbid psychiatric disorders. [9,11] There are also studies finding a relationship between panic attacks and the use of some substances, such as sedatives, but not others, such as alcohol.…”

“…Individuals with panic attacks often present themselves for medical care with concern about their physical symptoms. [2] These early presentations may provide a valuable opportunity for treatment that could potentially reduce the likelihood of future psychopathology. [21,45] …”

“…Even after adjusting for confounding variables, such as sociodemographic variables and psychiatric comorbidity, individuals with panic attacks have more disability and impairment, [1][2][3][4][5] comorbid medical disorders, [2,[6][7][8] and comorbid psychiatric disorders. [1,2,6,9] There have been mixed findings about the association between panic attacks and substance use. [10][11][12][13] When panic attacks begin earlier in life, they have an even stronger association with other psychopathology.…”

Whither Suffering? The Potential Impact of Tort Reform on the Emotional and Existential Healing of Traumatically Injured Chronic Pain Patients

“…Panic attacks and disorders, with or without agoraphobia, can be extremely debilitating, and detract from quality of life (Candilis et al 1999;Kinley et al 2009;Rapaport et al 2005). A study by Hansson (2002) concluded that along with PTSD, panic disorder results in greater overall impairment of quality of life than any other anxiety disorder.…”