Agoraphobia and Panic Disorder: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Aim: In this study we aim to get more information about agoraphobia (AG) which is an independent diagnosis in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5j and to evaluate overlaps or differences between agoraphobia and panic disorder (PD) upon sociodemographic features and comorbidity with considering relation of these two disorders. Material and Method: Sociodemographic Data Form was given and Structural Clinical Interview for DSM Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) was applied to 33 patients diagnosed as AG and 34 patients diagnosed as PD with AG (PDA). Results: AG group consisted of 21 females (63.1%), 12 males (36P5), totally 33 patients and PDA group consisted of 23 females (67.615o), 11 males (32.4%), totally 34 patients. Mean age of onset was 32.4 10.2 in PDA group and 31.1 12.1 in AG group. According to sociodemographic features, violence in family and smoking rates were significantly higher in PDA group than AG group. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) as a comorbidity was higher in PDA group. Discussion: In this study, we tried to identify the overlaps and differences of FDA and AG. For a better recognition of AG, further studies are needed.