Year: 2002 Source: Psychiatry Research, v.109, no.1, (31 January 2002), p.71-79 SIEC No: 20030323

This study investigated whether early-onset panic attack with fear represented a possible prodrome of early-onset severe psychopathology. Information about a household sample of adults aged 18 & over from five cities in the United States was analyzed with regard to psychiatric comorbidity, age at onset of comorbid mental disorders, & suicidal ideations/attempts. Findings indicated that early-onset fearful panic attacks may be a marker of increased vulnerability to severe & persistent psychopathology & associated with high rates of suicidality. (29 refs) (SC)