Four clinical types of panic disorders

Jpn J Psychiatry Neurol. 1992 Mar;46(1):37-44. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1819.1992.tb00817.x.

Abstract

The authors attempted to classify panic disorders into four types according to a clinical course and accompanying neurotic or depressive symptoms. The characteristics of each type are as follows; type I: a single panic attack is the only symptom, type II: only panic attacks occur frequently without any accompanying neurotic or depressive symptoms, type III: a recurrence of panic attacks and the gradual development of neurotic symptoms, such as anticipatory anxiety, generalized anxiety, agoraphobia, or hypochondriasis, type IV: depressive symptoms develop in the course of recurring panic attacks. Type IV is further divided into three subtypes. Type IV-1: depressive symptoms develop secondary to panic attacks and major depression later coexists with panic disorder. Type IV-2: panic disorder continuously changed into major depression. Type IV-3: panic attacks and depressive symptoms are seen independently. The most common types are type III and type IV-1, and seem to be a core group of the panic disorder. Typical cases of each type are presented and underlying psychopathology is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Agoraphobia / classification
  • Agoraphobia / diagnosis
  • Agoraphobia / genetics
  • Agoraphobia / psychology
  • Anxiety Disorders / classification
  • Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis
  • Anxiety Disorders / genetics
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder / classification
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder / genetics
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Panic Disorder / classification
  • Panic Disorder / diagnosis*
  • Panic Disorder / genetics
  • Panic Disorder / psychology
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Recurrence
  • Risk Factors