Postpartum onset of panic disorder: a coincidental event?
BACKGROUND
This study investigated whether the onset of panic for the first time during the postpartum period represented a coincidental occurrence.


METHODS
Sixty-four childbearing women diagnosed with panic disorder who had been treated at the Yale Anxiety Research Clinic were interviewed. Postpartum panic was defined as the first panic occurring within 12 weeks of the woman's first childbirth.


RESULTS
Seven women (10.9%) met criteria for postpartum onset, which is significantly greater than the expected age-corrected percentage of 0.92%, Z = 2.29, p < .02.


CONCLUSIONS
The onset of panic in the first postpartum period is not a coincidental event.
Sholomskas
D E
DE
Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, Guilford, CT 06437.
Wickamaratne
P J
PJ
Dogolo
L
L
O'Brien
D W
DW
Leaf
P J
PJ
Woods
S W
SW
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008433:Mathematics; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011336:Probability; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors