Effect of pregnancy on panic attacks

Am J Psychiatry. 1987 Aug;144(8):1078-9. doi: 10.1176/ajp.144.8.1078.

Abstract

Three women with panic disorder showed marked improvement in their panic symptoms during pregnancy. Such effects might be due to pregnancy's blunting of the sympathoadrenal response to simple physiologic stimuli, effects on barbiturate receptors, or improvement in psychological functioning.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety Disorders / complications
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology*
  • Fear*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Panic*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / psychology*