Andjelka Stones and David Perry
University of Westminster
United Kingdom

Differences Between Panickers With Coexisting Depression or GAD

In addition to their panic attacks, people may develop various additional psychological disorders, of which Depression and General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) are most common. We found some differences between these two groups.

Depression

• Subjects who suffer depression (n=74) in addition to their panic attacks, report heart palpitation as their cue symptom more than those that do not suffer depression (21.6% and 18.7% respectively).
• Depersonalisation and derealisation symptoms were also more frequently reported as a cue to their imminent panic attack (14.9%, compared to 8.4% by those that do not suffer depression).
• People who do not suffer depression (n=107)report dizzyness as their cue more frequently (24.3%) than those that do suffer depression (18.9%)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

• Subjects who suffer GAD (n=78) in addition to their panic attacks, report heart palpitation as their cue symptom less than those who do not suffer GAD (17.9% and 21.4% respectively).
• Depersonalisation and derealisation symptoms were more frequently reported as a cue to their imminent panic attack (15.4%, compared to 7.8% by those that do not suffer GAD).
• People who do not suffer GAD (n=103) report dizzyness as their cue more frequently (23.3%) than those that do suffer GAD (20.5%)
• People without the GAD report more chest related cue symptoms (5.8%) than those with the GAD (1.3%)

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