WOMEN MOST LIKELY TO HAVE PANIC DISORDER HAVE LOWEST AWARENESS LEVELS


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Sharon Reis 202-745-5103 Michelle Alonso 240-485-1029

WOMEN MOST LIKELY TO HAVE PANIC DISORDER
HAVE LOWEST AWARENESS LEVELS

WASHINGTON, DC, December 2, 2003-Women who are most likely to experience panic attacks are least likely to be aware of panic disorder, according to a new public opinion survey released today by the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA). The survey finds almost half (45 percent) of women ages 18-34 and over 55, two groups most likely to have panic disorder, were not familiar with the condition.

The survey also finds that 57 percent of Americans mistakenly believe that men and women are equally affected by panic disorder, a serious medical condition that affects 2.4 million Americans annually.

"Women are twice as likely to have panic disorder than men, with two to three million women frequently experiencing panic attacks," says Jerilyn Ross, MA, LICSW, ADAA's President and CEO. According to the survey, only 37 percent of women ages 18-34 and 27 percent of women ages 55-64 were aware that panic disorder affects women more than men. "These results highlight the importance of educating women about the condition and the fact that anxiety disorders are real, serious and treatable," says Ross.

Women ages 35-44 and 44-54 are most familiar with panic disorder, with 71 percent and 72 percent, respectively, reporting to be 'Very' or 'Somewhat Familiar' with the condition. White women are more likely than black women to say they were 'Very' or 'Somewhat Familiar' with panic disorder (64 percent versus 46 percent, respectively).

The survey concludes overall awareness of panic disorder is high. More than half (53 percent) of Americans are familiar with panic disorder. Eighty-seven percent understand that the condition is treatable and 75 percent believe it is a real illness like diabetes and heart disease.
Panic disorder is diagnosed when an individual suffers severe and unexpected panic attacks, which make him/her feel like they are having a heart attack, going crazy or losing

ADAA Survey
control for no apparent reason. A panic attack is defined as the abrupt onset of an episode of unprovoked intense fear or discomfort, which peaks in approximately 10 minutes. Panic attacks appear to be common in postmenopausal women with almost 18 percent of women who have passed menopause having such attacks, either full-blown (10 percent) or with limited symptoms (eight percent). The most common age of onset for panic disorder varies from adolescence to mid-thirties.
Women might have panic disorder if they have repeated, unexpected attacks where they experience at least four of the following symptoms:

Ross recommends to people who have experienced these symptoms that they talk to their health professional to rule out physical illness and discuss the panic or other anxiety disorders. Individuals can also visit www.adaa.org for more information or to find a mental health professional in your area.

Methodology
The survey was conducted by International Communications Research (ICR) for the ADAA. Telephone interviews with 1,012 U.S. residents age 18 and older were conducted from October 1 through October 5, 2003 via ICR's EXCEL Omnibus. Margin of error is plus or minus 3.08 percent.

About ADAA
ADAA is the only national, non-profit membership organization solely dedicated to promoting the prevention, treatment, and cure of anxiety disorders. The ADAA's Women's Initiative has created special materials for women of all ages that provide information on anxiety disorders, self-tests, finding a provider and self-help groups, treatment options, and questions to ask a therapist. People may visit the Women's Initiative section on www.adaa.org or call 1-800-922-8947 for more information.