Khanagar Sanjeev B, Altuwayjiri Reema Jamal, Albarqy Nadeen Mohammed, Alzahrani Ghida Ahmed, Alhusayni Hibah Ali, Alsaif Sarah Yousef
Preventive Dental Science Department, College of Dentistry, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia.
King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia.
Healthcare (Basel). 2023 Nov 16;11(22):2971. doi: 10.3390/healthcare11222971.
Panic disorder by definition is an anxiety disorder of unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear. Panic attacks are usually diagnosed by four or more of a set of symptoms that include palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, and hot flushes. They usually interfere with daily life situations and also interfere with education. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of panic attacks, their symptoms, and triggering factors among dental students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from 394 students using a structured and validated questionnaire. The prevalence of panic attacks among dental students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was 42.9%. Most of the participants who experienced higher episodes of panic attacks were females (53.4%) when compared to males (24.5%). Third year students displayed greater (58.3%) episodes of panic attacks compared to their respective counterparts. The most reported symptom of panic attacks was rapid or pounding heartbeat followed by breathlessness, chest pain, and shaking or trembling. It was also noted that most of the participants (63.31%) encountered a panic attack for the first time after joining dental school. The situations where dental students frequently experienced panic attacks were during exams, clinic procedures, giving presentations, and especially while under a lot of stress. The high occurrence of panic attacks among dental students highlights the importance of providing support programs and implementing preventive measures to help students, particularly those who are most susceptible to higher levels of these psychological conditions. Dental students experiencing panic attacks should be provided with necessary counseling sessions or psychiatric consultation in order to overcome such scenarios. Dental schools should consider these findings when planning the dental curriculum. Hence, the role of the faculty members is essential in these situations to provide support for the affected students.
根据定义，惊恐障碍是一种焦虑症，其特征为意外且反复出现的强烈恐惧发作。惊恐发作通常根据一组症状中的四种或更多症状来诊断，这些症状包括心悸、出汗、颤抖、呼吸急促、胸痛、恶心、头晕和潮热。它们通常会干扰日常生活状况，也会影响学业。因此，本研究的目的是评估沙特阿拉伯利雅得牙科学生中惊恐发作的患病率、症状及诱发因素。使用一份结构化且经过验证的问卷从394名学生中收集数据。沙特阿拉伯利雅得牙科学生中惊恐发作的患病率为42.9%。与男性（24.5%）相比，经历惊恐发作次数较多的大多数参与者为女性（53.4%）。与其他年级学生相比，三年级学生惊恐发作的次数更多（58.3%）。惊恐发作最常报告的症状是心跳快速或剧烈跳动，其次是呼吸急促、胸痛以及颤抖。还注意到，大多数参与者（63.31%）在进入牙科学校后首次遭遇惊恐发作。牙科学生频繁经历惊恐发作的情况发生在考试期间、临床操作时、做报告时，尤其是在压力很大的时候。牙科学生中惊恐发作的高发生率凸显了提供支持项目和实施预防措施以帮助学生的重要性，特别是那些最易受这些心理状况影响的学生。经历惊恐发作的牙科学生应接受必要的咨询或精神科会诊，以克服此类情况。牙科学校在规划牙科课程时应考虑这些研究结果。因此，在这些情况下，教职员工的作用对于为受影响的学生提供支持至关重要。
