• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2009

Objectives : The goal of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics of panic disorder respiratory subtype(PD-R) and non-respiratory subtype(PD-NR). Methods : 84 patients with panic disorder were enrolled and divided into 2 groups, 29 PD-R and 55 PD-NR. Diagnosis of panic disorder was evaluated using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders $4^{th}$ edition and Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. They were also measured with Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety(HAM-A), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression(HAM-D), and Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS). Results : PD-R group showed significantly higher scores in PDSS than those of PD-NR group(p=.027). After controlling for the severity of panic disorder and gender, PD-R group showed higher HAM-D and somatic anxiety subscale of HAM-A than those of PD-NR group. Furthermore, results of logistic regression analysis suggested that the somatic anxiety was a possible risk factor of PD-R(OR=1.404,p=0.009). Conclusion : These results suggest that somatic anxiety and depressive symptom would be important clinical characteristics of PD-R.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2014

Objective : Panic disorders are frequently accompanied by major depressive disorder (MDD). There is insufficient information about which clinical factors in panic disorder are associated with comorbid MDD. The aim of this study is to identify clinical factors related with comorbid MDD in patients with panic disorder. Methods : Two experienced psychiatrists diagnosed panic disorder based on DSM-IV criteria. This diagnosis in the 275 subjects was confirmed again by Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Lifetime comorbid psychiatric diagnoses were examined by MINI. The Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) were used to assess the severity of depressive, anxiety and panic symptoms. Results : The result of MINI showed that 95 patients (34%) with panic disorder satisfied the diagnosis of MDD. Multivariate logistic regression model showed that comorbid generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and the symptom of "fear of losing control or going crazy" were associated with MDD in patients with panic disorder. In female patients, the "chills or hot flushes" symptom was also associated with comorbid MDD. Conclusion : These results showed that coexisting GAD and certain symptoms of panic are associated with comorbid MDD.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for patients with panic disorder using EQ-5D and EQ-VAS, and to examine the relationship between health-related quality of life and clinical outcomes following treatment. Methods : 29 patients with panic disorder were recruited from the Seoul Metropolitan area and 20 patients were followed up after two months of outpatient treatment. The Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) was used to assess the severity of the panic disorder and the changes in symptoms. HRQoL was assessed with EQ-5D and EQ-VAS at baseline and at two months of treatment. Results : All enrolled panic disorder patients showed significantly impairment of HRQoL in view of the subscales of EQ-5D, EQ-VAS index scores. The severity of PDSS was correlated the HRQoL in the panic patients. After treatment, the EQ-5D, EQ-VAS index scores showed significant improvement. Conclusion : Panic disorder patients suffer from lower HRQoL as well as from symptoms of the disorder. They showed clinical improvement and a restored HRQoL with treatment. These outcomes suggest using the EQ-5D, EQ-VAS such as the HRQoL in the assessment of patients with panic disorder is essential.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.10-16
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• 2017

Objective : This study aimed to investigate differences in demographic, clinical characteristics, and quality of life between panic-disorder patients with generalized anxiety disorder (PD+GAD) and without generalized anxiety disorder (PD-GAD). Methods : We examined data from 218 patients diagnosed with PD+GAD (150 patients) and PD-GAD (68patients). The following instruments were applied: Stress coping strategies, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised (ASI-R), Albany Panic and Phobia Questionnaire (APPQ), NEO-neuroticism(NEO-N), Short Form health survey-36 (SF-36). Results : Compared to the PD-GAD group, the PD+GAD group had higher scores in emotion-focused coping strategies and clinical severity, such as BDI, BAI, PDSS, ASI, APPQ, and neuroticism. The PD+ GAD group showed lower scores in most scales in SF-36 status than PD-GAD group. Conclusions : This study shows that PD+GAD patients are different from PD-GAD patients in coping strategies, clinical severity and quality of life. It emphasizes the need of personalized therapy in clinical approach among patients with PD+GAD.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2013

Objective : Panic disorder is a chroni, debilitating illness, and has been known to be affected by high anxiety sensitivity and a poor quality of life. We examined if 12 weeks of pharmacotherapy with escitalopram could affect anxiety sensitivity, quality of life, and general disability in patients with panic disorder. Method : We enrolled 27 patients who met the DSM-IV-TR criteria for panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia, and completed 12 weeks of escitalopram treatment. We enrolled 29 normal control subjects who were matched for age and sex compared with the panic patients. All subjects were assessed using the Hamilton Rating Scale for depression (HAM-D), Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A), Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised (ASI-R), WHO quality of life assessment (WHO-QOL) and Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) before and after 12 weeks of treatment. Result : Panic disorder patients had a higher Anxiety sensitivity, a poorer Quality of life, and significant disability than normal control subjects at baseline. After the treatment, Panic disorder patients showed significant improvement in the severity of panic symptoms in terms of the HAM-A p<0.001), HAM-D (p<0.001) in addition, the reached a remission state in terms of the PDSS score. They also showed significant improvement in the ASI-R (p<0.001), WHO-QOL (p<0.001) and SDS (p<0.001), but mean scores of the ASI-R, WHO-QOL and SDS in panic disorder patients were did not reach normal levels. Conclusion : This study suggests that 12 weeks of pharmacotherapy with escitalopram could improve anxiety sensitivity, quality of life, and disability in panic disorder patients, although their anxiety sensitivity, quality of life and disability were not yet normalized after short-term pharmacotherapy. Thus, long-term pharmacotherapy may be necessary for panic disorder patients in order to get an optimal clinical response in terms of anxiety sensitivity, quality of life, and general disability.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of breath-counting meditation on anxiety disorder patients with panic attack. Methods: Two anxiety disorder patients with panic attack were treated with Breath-counting Meditation, acupunctures, and herb-medications. The patients have been predicted for anxiety disorder with panic attack through Dignosis and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV), Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), BDI (Beck Depression Inventory), and BAI (Beck Anxiety Inventory) on their 1st and 6th treatments. Results: After the treatments, both the physical and psychological symptoms have decreased. Conclusions: This study suggests that the breath-counting meditation is an effective way for treating patients who are suffering from anxiety disorder with panic attack.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.305-314
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• 2018

Objectives: The objective of this study was to report the clinical effectiveness of the complex Korean medicine therapy and M&L (Mindfulness & Loving presence) psychotherapy on the patient with panic disorder. Methods: The subject for this study was the patient diagnosed with panic disorder who complained about intermittent panic attack and accompanying insomnia. During the treatment period, the patient received complex Korean therapy and M&L psychotherapy. The clinical effects were evaluated through Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results: After the complex Korean medicine therapy and M&L psychotherapy, the overall symptoms of depression, anxiety, panic disorder and insomnia of the patient were lessened in a relatively short period. No specificities or adverse effects were reported during the treatment period. Conclusions: This study established that the complex Korean medicine therapy and M&L psychotherapy was effective in treating patients with panic disorder.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2008

Objective : This article is a part of the Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Panic Disorder, which aims to build consensus regarding the diagnosis, treatment response and achievement of clinical remission for patients with panic disorder in Korea. Methods : The questionnaire used in this article had parts : 1) diagnosis, 2) treatment response, and 3) remission for patients with panic disorder. The questionnaire was completed by each of 54 Korean psychiatrists who had much experience in treating patients with panic disorder. We classified the experts' opinions into 3 categories (first-line, second-line, and third-line) using the ${\chi}^2$-test. Results : Five factors were considered in this research : panic attack, anticipatory anxiety, phobic avoidance, severity of illness, and psychosocial disability. Most reviewers agreed that the presence of a panic attack was the most important factor in the diagnosis of patients with panic disorder. Phobic avoidance was included in the first-line category, whereas the severity of illness and psychosocial disability were included in the second-line category. Most reviewers also agreed that the presence of a panic attack was the most important factor in determining the appropriate treatment response, and it was included in the first-line category along with several other items. To determine remission status, the patients' scores on tests pertaining to the severity of panic attack, anticipatory anxiety, phobic avoidance, severity of illness and psychosocial disability should be less than 3.0-3.3 on a 9-point Likert scale. Conclusion : We suggest useful information for making a diagnosisof panic disorder, determining the appropriate treatment response and identifying remission in panic disorder patients on the basis of the results of a nationwide survey of experts in Korea.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.36-41
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the potential clinical benefits a single group session of cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of patients with panic disorder. Methods : The study participants were 18 patients (14 males, 4 females; mean age=38.9 years), all of whom were assessed as meeting the DSM-IV-TR criteria for panic disorder. All participants attended one two-hour session of structured group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Clinical symptoms was assessed before and eight weeks after the single therapy session using the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS). Results : Eight weeks after a single session of group CBT significant improvements were found in panic attack frequency, distress during panic attacks, severity of anticipatory anxiety, agoraphobic fear/avoidance, panic-related sensation fear/avoidance, impairment in work functioning, impairment in social functioning. Conclusions : One session of group CBT appears to be an effective treatment of panic disorder by reducing the severity of all symptoms assessed on the PDSS. An attempt should be made to replicate the findings of this pilot study in a larger and controlled, comparative clinical trial.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.108-114
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• 2014

Objective : The correlation between age of onset and symptoms/severity of panic disorder has not yet been determined. The aim of this research is to determine the different clinical features of panic disorder according to the age of onset. Methods : Patients diagnosed with panic disorder were placed into two groups according to onset of age. The subjects were checked for 13 different panic symptoms presented in the DSM-IV. The investigation was also executed by severity, the anxiety sensitivity index, the scale for depression and anxiety. Results : The early onset group had significantly higher frequencies than the late onset group in the areas of "choking feeling" and "derealization or paresthesia". It was found that only "choking feeling" was statically significant as a risk factor of early onset panic disorder. Among the objective anxiety scale, the subscale of psychological anxiety was higher in the early onset group compared to the late onset group. Conclusion : "Choking feeling" was the only panic symptom that showed a significant difference in accordance with onset age. Earlier onset patients tend to experience a more frequent "choking feeling," which is related to respiratory symptoms. This could mean that earlier onset patients are more likely to have higher psychological anxiety.