Insomnia Symptom Independently Predict Depression in the Patients With Panic Disorder

Objective: This study aimed to examine the association between insomnia symptoms, sub-symptoms of panic disorder, and depressive symptoms in patients with panic disorder.Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted with 192 patients diagnosed with panic disorder. Data on panic disorder severity, anxiety sensitivity, agoraphobia, insomnia severity, and depressive symptoms were collected using psychological instruments. Correlation analysis and logistic regression were employed to analyze the relationships between the variables.Results: Patients with panic disorder accompanied by significant depressive symptoms had a higher prevalence of insomnia, younger age, and more severe panic symptoms. Logistic regression analysis revealed an independent association between insomnia symptoms and the presence of depressive symptoms in panic disorder patients. Specific panic disorder sub-symptoms, such as fear of publicly observable anxiety reactions and fear of cognitive dyscontrol, exhibited stronger associations with depressive symptoms than overall panic severity.Conclusion: The findings suggest a significant association between insomnia, specific panic disorder sub-symptoms, and depressive symptoms in patients with panic disorder. Addressing insomnia and cognitive symptoms may be crucial in managing panic disorder and preventing depressive symptoms. Psychological interventions, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy, targeted at these factors could improve outcomes for panic disorder patients.