Panic disorder and cigarette smoking behavior

doi:10.1016/S0010-440X(99)90074-3

Comprehensive Psychiatry

Volume 40, Issue 1, January–February 1999, Pages 35-38

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-440X(99)90074-3 Get rights and content

Abstract

Smoking has been discussed both as a risk factor for panic disorder and as a contributing factor to elevated cardiovascular risk in panic disorder patients. Smoking habits and their association with panic disorder were studied in a sample of 102 panic disorder patients. Both for female and for male patients, rates of smokers and of exsmokers were substantially higher than in the general population. However, a surprisingly high number of patients had succeeded in reducing or quitting cigarette smoking because of their panic disorder, although they experienced little benefit in regard to panic symptoms from doing so. We conclude that the motivation for changing smoking habits is high in this population with elevated smoking prevalence and should be taken into consideration by therapists.

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There is limited work that has examined the effect of quitting smoking on anxious arousal, an underlying dimension of anxiety symptoms and psychopathology.
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Cigarette smokers have increased rates of mood and anxiety-related conditions. Hoarding is another anxiety-related condition that has yet to be examined in relation to smoking behavior. The current investigation sought to examine smoking rates among a sample of individuals with hoarding disorder and individuals with non-hoarding obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). Additionally, we examined the relationship between hoarding symptoms and reasons for smoking. Participants in Study 1 consisted of 57 individuals with non-hoarding OCD or hoarding disorder. Participants in Study 2 consisted of 661 adult daily smokers. Results revealed that a significantly greater proportion of individuals diagnosed with hoarding were current smokers compared to the non-hoarding OCD group. Additionally, hoarding severity was associated with negative affect reduction expectancies. These results provide important information regarding smoking behaviors within hoarding disorder. Given the poor treatment outcomes and negative health risks associated with hoarding, this information could inform future research and treatment programs.
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Panic disorder and cigarette smoking behavior

Abstract

Addict Behav

Psychiatry Res

Compr Psychiatry

Addict Behav

Biol Psychiatry

Compr Psychiatry

Prevalence of smoking among psychiatric outpatients

Am J Psychiatry

Smoking habit and psychometric scores: A community study

N Z Med J