Evaluation of Panic Agoraphobic Spectrum and Sociodemographic Characteristics in Terms of Depression Types

Abstract

Objective: One of the most important predictors of the severity of major depressive disorder is the presence of a comorbid anxiety disorder. Independent of treatment, depressed patients with a lifetime anxiety disorder are found to have a slower response to treatment and lower symptomatic recovery rates compared to depressed patients without a lifetime anxiety disorder. In this study, the aim was to compare the Lifetime Panic-Agoraphobic Spectrum and sociodemographic characteristics of patients with major depressive disorder and healthy controls and to investigate its relationship with depressive disorder severity and anxiety levels. Methods: A total of 135 participants were included in the study, 80 of whom were major depressive disorder patients. Beck Anxiety Scale, Beck Depression Scale, Lifetime Panic Agoraphobic Spectrum Scale, and a sociodemographic and clinical data form were applied to all participants. Results: All Lifetime Panic Agoraphobic Spectrum subscale scores, Lifetime Panic Agoraphobic Spectrum total score, Beck Depression Inventory, and Beck Anxiety Inventory scores are found to be significantly higher in the major depressive group compared to healthy controls. Also, Lifetime Panic Agoraphobic Spectrum scores and Beck Depression Inventory scores are found to be significantly higher in patients with melancholic depression compared to patients with atypical depression. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that panic-agoraphobic spectrum characteristics are significantly associated with depression severity, especially in melancholic depression. Even in the absence of a comorbid anxiety disorder, the assessment of Panic-Agoraphobic Spectrum features and identification of the depression subtype can provide valuable insights for personalized treatment approaches and may lead to improved clinical outcomes.