PANIC ATTACKS AND PANIC DISORDER IN A JAPANESE NONPATIENT POPULATION - EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PSYCHOSOCIAL CORRELATES

To investigate the prevalence rates of panic disorder and panic attack s in the general population of Japan, a set of questionnaires were adm inistered to 207 people aged 18 or over, who were then interviewed. Se ven (3.4%) had experienced one or more unexpected panic attacks in the ir lifetime. Two subjects (1.0%) had had panic disorder (DSM-III-R), a nd five (2.4%) had had panic attacks not meeting the criteria for pani c disorder. Seventy percent of the persons with panic disorder or pani c attacks had sought medical care. There was comorbidity with agorapho bia in two cases, and with major depression in five. Harsh discipline, frequent quarrel, between parents, and serious illness before the age of 16 were more frequent in individuals suffering from panic attacks, compared to those without.