Article1994

Characteristics of African-American and White Patients With Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia

Steven Friedman · Marjorie L. Hatch · Cheryl M. Paradis

49 citations0/0 files storedPsychiatric Services

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Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development Mental Health Treatment and Access

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The authors explored the clinical characteristics and treatment response of African-American and white patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia who presented for treatment at an anxiety disorders clinic. METHODS: One hundred white and 43 African-American patients were evaluated using a structured interview and completed a variety of standardized rating scales. In addition, data regarding clinical characteristics, psychiatric history, childhood history, life stressors, and treatment outcome were obtained by chart review. The incidence of isolated sleep paralysis was also assessed in a subsample of patients. RESULTS: The two groups had no significant differences in psychiatric symptoms. African-American patients were more likely to use a medical emergency room, to have had childhood separations, and to have had parents who abused substances. They also reported less separation anxiety, school phobia, and affective illness in family members. In addition, African Americans, both patients and nonclinical control subjects, were more likely to report that they experienced repetitive episodes of isolated sleep paralysis. Treatment outcome was moderately successful among both African-American patients and white patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although African-American and white patients show similar symptoms of panic disorder, African-American patients had more unnecessary psychiatric hospitalizations, a higher rate of medical emergency room visits, a higher incidence of isolated sleep paralysis, greater likelihood of childhood trauma, and a greater number of life stressors. Addressing these issues in treatment is critical in reducing the dropout rate and maintaining successful treatment.

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References

1984Lifetime Prevalence of Specific Psychiatric Disorders in Three Sites 1979Brief standard self-rating for phobic patients 1984Six-Month Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders in Three Communities 1985The Mobility Inventory for Agoraphobia 1988Alprazolam in Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia: Results From a Multicenter Trial 1983A Family Study of Panic Disorder 1984Lactate Provocation of Panic Attacks 1981Overview: white norms and psychiatric diagnosis of black patients

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2000Cultural Psychopathology: Uncovering the Social World of Mental Illness 2008Risk Factors for Isolated Sleep Paralysis in an African American Sample: A Preliminary Study 2002Treating panic disorder in primary care: a collaborative care intervention 2008A structural equation model analysis of perceived control and psychological distress on worry among African American and European American young adults 2006Sleep in Older African Americans and Caucasians at Risk for Sleep-Disordered Breathing

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