Factors of Personality and Defense Mechanism Affecting Symptoms in Patients with Panic Disorder

Choi, Ho Dong; Cheon, Eun Jin; Lee, Jun Yeob; Song, Shin Ho; Jeong, Sung Hoon; Koo, Bon Hoon

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
There are several studies about the prevalence of comorbid personality in the patients with panic disorder, and the comparison of defense mechanisms between patients with panic disorder and those with normal controls. The purpose of this study is to investigate specific factors of personality and defense mechanisms that affect symptoms in panic disorder patients.
METHODS
We recruited 38 patients with panic disorder according to the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, 4th edition. We investigated specific factors of personality and defense mechanisms affecting symptoms in the patients using the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), the Personality Disorder Questionnaire-4+, and the Defense Style Questionnaire.
RESULTS
The defense style turned out to be more primitive as the positive symptom distress level of SCL-90R increased. The factors of personality affecting panic disorder were dependence, avoidance, degree of depress and negativistic personality, while the factors of defense mechanism that influence symptoms of panic disorder were maladaptive defense style, acting out and somatization. In contrast, the symptomatic factor of panic disorder that affects maladaptive defense style was interpersonal sensitivity of SCL-90R.
CONCLUSION
The finding suggests that the level of maturity in defense mechanism is negatively correlated with the severity of symptoms in panic disorder. Interpersonal themes, such as dependence and avoidant personality, can worsen the symptoms of panic disorder.