TRAIT ANXIETY, COPING WITH STRESS, AND NORHARMAN

Plasma levels of the beta-carboline norharman, concentration of platel et 5-HT, trait measures of anxiety, and measures of coping and defense mechanisms were compared for 15 patients with panic disorder and 24 h ealthy volunteers. Patients indicated that they made less use of the d efense mechanism of principalization than control subjects. No other d ifferences between patients and controls were significant. Platelet 5- HT concentration was positively correlated with the subjectively repor ted anxiety. Plasma norharman concentration was negatively correlated with the defense mechanisms of principalization and repression and pos itively correlated with coping strategies involving palliation. The po sitive correlations of norharman levels with projection and self-comfo rting fell shea of significance and existed in the patient group only. No correlation was apparent between levels of plasma norharman and sc ores on anxiety. It was concluded that norharman is not a marker for p anic disorder or trait anxiety, but that it might reflect intrapsychic and coping processes.