[Panic disorder and gender of patients versus the presence of profound psychological trauma].

BACKGROUND

The author examined psychiatrically a group of 75 patients suffering from severe panic disorder. The special interest of the study was the careful analysis of the time, context and content of different psychological traumas that the patients had throughout their lives.

METHODS

The author examined 75 patients suffering from panic disorder during ambulatory treatment. There were 53 women (71%) and 22 men (29%). The average age was M=44.68 years (SD=12.68), and average duration of illness was M=5.19 years (SD=6.22). Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Polish version 5.0.0, Panic and Agoraphobia Scale, Beck's Depression Inventory and Life Inventory were used.

RESULTS

In the group of 75 patients with severe panic disorder, women were majority (71%). It may be due to specific trauma of suffering and/or death of an emotionally close person, which occurred in adulthood. This trauma may have impact on the aetiology of panic disorder. Women are more exposed to this sort of trauma due to their social role.

CONCLUSION

It is possible, that psychological trauma affects the development, course and severity of panic disorder.