Postpartum onset of panic disorder: a coincidental event?

BACKGROUND

This study investigated whether the onset of panic for the first time during the postpartum period represented a coincidental occurrence.

METHOD

Sixty-four childbearing women diagnosed with panic disorder who had been treated at the Yale Anxiety Research Clinic were interviewed. Postpartum panic was defined as the first panic occurring within 12 weeks of the woman's first childbirth.

RESULTS

Seven women (10.9%) met criteria for postpartum onset, which is significantly greater than the expected age-corrected percentage of 0.92%, Z = 2.29, p < .02.

CONCLUSION

The onset of panic in the first postpartum period is not a coincidental event.