Panic Disorder Statistics in the United States

Panic disorder affects a significant portion of the U.S. population and has lifetime prevalence rates ranging from 2% to 6%. Adolescents aged 13-18 experience a 2.3% prevalence rate, with the prevalence being higher among females. 

Panic disorder is often accompanied by other mental health conditions, including depression and substance abuse. It has severe impacts, such as an increased risk of suicide and medical conditions like coronary heart disease. 

Despite effective treatments, relapse remains a concern for many patients with panic disorder.

Key Takeaways:

• Among adolescents with panic disorder who participated in the National Comorbidity Survey Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A), 44.8% experienced severe symptoms, while 29.5% had moderate symptoms, and 25.7% had mild symptoms.
• Panic disorder is more prevalent among females than males. In one study, 2.5% of females aged 15-24 were affected with panic disorder versus 1.3% of males.
• 42% of people with panic disorder in a study had a history of suicide attempts. 64.3% of those attempts occurred after the onset of the disorder.
• In a study, 25% of individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 20% of those with asthma also had panic disorder.
• Around 30% of individuals with panic disorder misuse alcohol, while 17% misuse drugs like cocaine and marijuana.
• Approximately 80% of patients with panic disorder respond well to pharmacological treatments and cognitive behavioral therapy, although 20% continue to experience symptoms.
• Individuals with panic disorder have an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.47.

Prevalence of Panic Disorder in the United States

• The National Comorbidity Survey Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A) between 2001 and 2004 reports that 2.3% of U.S. adolescents aged 13-18 experienced panic disorder and an additional 2.3% faced severe impairment at least once in their lifetime. Impairment levels were assessed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria. The prevalence was higher among females (2.6%) compared to males (2.0%). 
• The severity of panic disorder among NCS-A participants was as follows:

• According to Medscape, the lifetime prevalence estimates for panic disorder among U.S. adults fall between 2.0% and 6.0%. 
• BF, Grant et.al’s 2006 study “The epidemiology of DSM-IV panic disorder and agoraphobia in the United States: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions” states that 12-month and lifetime prevalence rates for panic disorder were 2.1% and 5.1%, respectively. 
• According to BF, Grant et.al’s 2006 study “The epidemiology of DSM-IV panic disorder and agoraphobia in the United States: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions”, for panic disorder with agoraphobia, the 12-month and lifetime prevalence rates were 0.6% and 1.1%, respectively, while for panic disorder without agoraphobia, the rates were 1.6% and 4.0%, respectively. 

Panic Disorder Prevalence in the U.S. By Age and Gender

• Eaton, W W et.al’s study “Panic and panic disorder in the United States” indicated that a lifetime diagnosis of panic disorder based on DSM-III-R criteria was approximately 2.5 times more prevalent among female participants compared to their male counterparts. Among females aged 15-24 years, the prevalence rate of panic disorder was 2.5%, whereas for males in the same age group, it was 1.3%. 
• According to Psychiatry.org, panic disorder tends to be more prevalent among young adults compared to other age demographics. The mean age of onset of symptoms of panic disorder is between 20 and 24. 
• Cartwright-Hatton, Sam et.al’s 2006 study “Anxiety in a neglected population: prevalence of anxiety disorders in pre-adolescent children” reports that fewer than 0.5% of pre-adolescent children (under the age of 12) are diagnosed with panic disorder. However, the prevalence among adolescents ranges from 1% to 3%, with the peak onset occurring between the ages of 15 and 19. 
• UpToDate reports that the prevalence of panic disorder among primary care patients is 2 times that of the general population, with some estimates ranging from 4% to 8%. 
• The age-wise distribution of panic disorder among adolescents between 2001-2004 as per data from the NCS-A is as follows: 

Panic Disorder and Co-occurring Diagnoses in the U.S.

• According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), having a drug use disorder is linked to a 1 to 1.3 times higher likelihood of developing a panic disorder. 
• As per mentalhealth.com, approximately 30% of individuals with panic disorder misuse alcohol, while 17% turn to drugs like cocaine and marijuana in unsuccessful efforts to relieve the distress and anguish caused by their condition. 
• In the 2006 U.S. National Comorbidity Survey of adults aged 15 to 54, 37% of individuals with panic disorder had a lifetime history of major depression.
• Simon, Naomi et.al’s 2005 study “The implications of medical and psychiatric comorbidity with panic disorder” indicates that approximately 25% of individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and around 20% of those with asthma also have a diagnosis of panic disorder. Additionally, the lifetime prevalence of respiratory diseases among individuals with panic disorder can reach as high as 47%. 
• In Tully, P et.al’s 2015 meta-analysis “Panic disorder and incident coronary heart disease: a systematic review and meta-regression in 1131612 persons and 58111 cardiac events”, researchers found a significant association between panic disorder and an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.47. Individuals with panic disorder had a higher likelihood of death from coronary heart disease or myocardial infarction, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.4. 

Impact of Panic Disorder in the U.S.

• According to Raffa, Susan et.al’s 2004 study “Feared consequences of panic attacks in panic disorder: a qualitative and quantitative analysis,” 90% of adults with panic disorder reported experiencing 1-4 feared consequences during a panic attack. The most frequently reported fears included embarrassment, death, fainting, losing control, going crazy, and an inability to cope or loss of independence. 
• In Lepine, J. et.al’s 1993 study “Suicide Attempts in Patients With Panic Disorder”, researchers found that 42% of the 100 sample outpatients had a history of suicide attempts. 31 of the attempts (73.8%) occurred after the patient’s first panic attack, while 27 attempts (64.3%) happened following the onset of panic disorder. 
• The impact of panic disorder on suicidal attempts and substance use in Lepine, J. et.al’s study is shown below: 

• Parent history of panic order results in 1.5 times higher odds of generalized anxiety disorder and 1.9 times higher odds of major depressive episodes occurring in adolescents, according to data from 1990-2 National Comorbidity Survey (NCS) and 2001-03 NCS follow-up survey (NCS-2). 
• Cox, B. et.al’s review “Substance abuse and panic-related anxiety: a critical review” reports that around 10-40% of individuals with alcoholism also experience panic-related anxiety disorders. 

Panic Disorder Treatment Access and Utilization in the U.S.

• According to StatPearls, current pharmacological treatments and cognitive behavioral therapy for panic disorder are effective for approximately 80% of patients, though relapses are frequent. Around 20% of patients continue to experience symptoms that negatively impact their quality of life. 
• Batelaan, N. et.al’s 2010 study “The 2-year prognosis of panic episodes in the general population” revealed that 64% of subjects achieved remission, with an average time to remission of 5.7 months. However, during the follow-up, 21% of those individuals experienced a recurrence of symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Annual Incidence of Panic Disorder in the United States?

The annual incidence of panic disorder in the United States is approximately 2-3% of the population. The lifetime prevalence estimates reach up to around 4.7%.

What Age Group Is Most Affected by Panic Disorder?

Panic disorder most commonly affects female young adults aged between 15 and 24, with peak onset typically occurring between 15 and 19 years. The lifetime diagnosis of panic disorder is 2.5 times more likely to occur in females than males.

Can School Violence Cause Panic Disorder in Teens?

Yes, school violence can contribute to panic disorder in teens. Riehm, Kira et.al’s 2021 study “Adolescents’ Concerns About School Violence or Shootings and Association With Depressive, Anxiety, and Panic Symptoms” found that heightened concern about school violence was linked to increased odds of developing generalized anxiety and panic symptoms. Learn more about School Violence and Teen Mental Health Statistics.