OBJECTIVE: The etiology of panic disorder is probably multifactorial, involving genetic, biological, cognitive-behavioral and psychosocial factors that may contribute to the onset of anxiety symptoms in childhood. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between past history of anxiety disorder in childhood and panic disorder in adult life. METHODS: Using a structured interview (K-SADS-E and DICA-P), 84 panic disorder adult patients were interviewed and childhood anxiety disorder was retrospectively investigated. A review of medical registers was performed to assess comorbidities with other anxiety and mood disorders. RESULTS: Of the patients studied, 59,5% had past history of childhood anxiety disorders. There was a significant association between generalized anxiety disorder history during childhood and panic disorder in adult life and its comorbidities such as agoraphobia (p=0,05) and depression (p=0,03). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that childhood anxiety disorder may be a predictor of the severity of panic disorder in adult life.
Anxiety, separation; Adult; Child; Panic disorder; Depression
