The effects of pregnancy on preexisting panic disorder.

BACKGROUND: Limited evidence suggests that pregnancy may be associated with a reduction of panic and related symptoms. The authors investigate reported changes in panic symptoms during pregnancy. METHOD: Questionnaires asking about changes in panic and phobic avoidance symptoms during pregnancy were mailed to 129 women who had previously participated in our Anxiety Disorders Program over a 5-year period; all had diagnoses of panic disorder by DSM-III-R criteria. Reported here are responses from 22 of the women who experienced pregnancy after the onset of panic disorder. RESULTS: A majority of women (14 of 22) reported a decrease in panic symptoms during pregnancy, but significant variability in this phenomenon occurs between and within individuals. CONCLUSION: A subpopulation of women may experience improvement in panic symptoms during pregnancy, which has implications for management of these patients. Further research is needed to verify the existence of such a subpopulation and to determine an etiology.