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Is early separation anxiety a specific precursor of panic disorder–agoraphobia? a community study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

D. Silove ,
M. Harris ,
A. Morgan ,
P. Boyce ,
V. Manicavasagar ,
D. Hadzi-Pavlovic  and
K. Wilhelm
D. Silove*
Affiliation:
Academic Mental Health Unit, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales at Liverpool Hospital, the University of Sydney at Nepean Hospital, Penrith, Academic Mental Health Unit, South Western Sydney Area Health Service, Liverpool, and the School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales at Prince Henry Hospital, NSW, Australia
M. Harris
Affiliation:
Academic Mental Health Unit, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales at Liverpool Hospital, the University of Sydney at Nepean Hospital, Penrith, Academic Mental Health Unit, South Western Sydney Area Health Service, Liverpool, and the School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales at Prince Henry Hospital, NSW, Australia
A. Morgan
Affiliation:
Academic Mental Health Unit, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales at Liverpool Hospital, the University of Sydney at Nepean Hospital, Penrith, Academic Mental Health Unit, South Western Sydney Area Health Service, Liverpool, and the School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales at Prince Henry Hospital, NSW, Australia
P. Boyce
Affiliation:
Academic Mental Health Unit, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales at Liverpool Hospital, the University of Sydney at Nepean Hospital, Penrith, Academic Mental Health Unit, South Western Sydney Area Health Service, Liverpool, and the School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales at Prince Henry Hospital, NSW, Australia
V. Manicavasagar
Affiliation:
Academic Mental Health Unit, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales at Liverpool Hospital, the University of Sydney at Nepean Hospital, Penrith, Academic Mental Health Unit, South Western Sydney Area Health Service, Liverpool, and the School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales at Prince Henry Hospital, NSW, Australia
D. Hadzi-Pavlovic
Affiliation:
Academic Mental Health Unit, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales at Liverpool Hospital, the University of Sydney at Nepean Hospital, Penrith, Academic Mental Health Unit, South Western Sydney Area Health Service, Liverpool, and the School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales at Prince Henry Hospital, NSW, Australia
K. Wilhelm
Affiliation:
Academic Mental Health Unit, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales at Liverpool Hospital, the University of Sydney at Nepean Hospital, Penrith, Academic Mental Health Unit, South Western Sydney Area Health Service, Liverpool, and the School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales at Prince Henry Hospital, NSW, Australia
*
1Address for correspondence: Professor D. Silove, Academic Mental Health Unit, Level 4 Health Services Building, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia.
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Synopsis

The present study aimed to examine memories of early separation anxiety symptoms in a community sample of women at heightened risk to neurotic disorder. The chief finding was that subjects with a lifetime history of panic disorder–agoraphobia (PD–Ag) returned statistically higher scores on a retrospective measure of early separation anxiety compared to subjects with either generalized anxiety or other phobic disorders, a result which was not accounted for by differences in neuroticism or General Health Questionnaire scores. Although limited by its retrospective design and the problem of co-morbidity in subclassifying the anxiety disorders, the present study does provide added support for the hypothesis – endorsed by DSM-III-R – that there is a developmental link between early separation anxiety and panic disorder.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 25 , Issue 2 , March 1995 , pp. 405 - 411
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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