D David1, A Giron, T A Mellman. 1. Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Miami, Fla.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Several studies suggest high rates of developmental trauma among adult anxiety disorder patients. We attempted to replicate these findings in patients with panic disorder, agoraphobia, and/or social phobia in comparison with a nonclinical population and to evaluate possible relationship of traumas and phobic subtypes. METHOD: Fifty-one patients with panic disorder with agoraphobia and/or social phobia were assessed for lifetime diagnoses using interviews and rating scales and for developmental trauma by the Life Experience Questionnaire (LEQ). Fifty-one demographically similar nonclinical subjects completed a questionnaire that included the LEQ and screening questions for lifetime psychopathology. RESULTS: Childhood trauma was reported by 63% (N = 32) of the patients (vs. 35% or 18 of comparison subjects and 24% or 9 of subjects negative for lifetime psychopathology; chi 2 = 7.7, df = 1, p < .01). Sexual and/or physical abuse histories (and not separation and/or loss) were significantly increased in the patient group and were most specifically associated with social phobia. CONCLUSION: We find a similar, increased rate of childhood trauma as has been reported in previous studies of anxiety disorder patients. In our findings, this most specifically represents an association of social phobia and sexual/physical abuse histories.
BACKGROUND: Several studies suggest high rates of developmental trauma among adult anxiety disorderpatients. We attempted to replicate these findings in patients with panic disorder, agoraphobia, and/or social phobia in comparison with a nonclinical population and to evaluate possible relationship of traumas and phobic subtypes. METHOD: Fifty-one patients with panic disorder with agoraphobia and/or social phobia were assessed for lifetime diagnoses using interviews and rating scales and for developmental trauma by the Life Experience Questionnaire (LEQ). Fifty-one demographically similar nonclinical subjects completed a questionnaire that included the LEQ and screening questions for lifetime psychopathology. RESULTS: Childhood trauma was reported by 63% (N = 32) of the patients (vs. 35% or 18 of comparison subjects and 24% or 9 of subjects negative for lifetime psychopathology; chi 2 = 7.7, df = 1, p < .01). Sexual and/or physical abuse histories (and not separation and/or loss) were significantly increased in the patient group and were most specifically associated with social phobia. CONCLUSION: We find a similar, increased rate of childhood trauma as has been reported in previous studies of anxiety disorderpatients. In our findings, this most specifically represents an association of social phobia and sexual/physical abuse histories.
Authors: Takeshi Otowa; Timothy P York; Charles O Gardner; Kenneth S Kendler; John M Hettema Journal: Psychiatry Res Date: 2014-08-01 Impact factor: 3.222