Open-longitudinal study of the effect of dissociative symptoms on the response of patients with panic disorder to venlafaxine

The relationship between Panic Disorder (PD) and dissociation is well known. In this study we aimed to investigate whether or not dissociative experiences affect the response to PD drug treatment. For this purpose, standart dose of venlafaxine was preferred for treatment. 63 patients with PD were included in the study. Venlafaxine treatment with increasing dose was administered to each patient during a 10-week period. The Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) and the Dissociation Questionnaire (DIS-Q) were applied to the patients at the beginning of the study. Patients were divided into two groups based on DIS-Q scores. PDSS was applied again to both groups at the end of 10-week treatment.No difference between sociodemographic data and PDSS scores of two groups – patients with low DIS-Q scores (<2.5) and high DIS-Q scores (>2.5) – was found at the beginning. At the end of the study, a significant decrease in PDSS scores measured in both groups was detected. However, the decrease in PDSS score for the group with lower DIS-Q score was at a higher percentage (z = −3.822, p = 0.0001).These results depict that dissociative symptoms accompanying PD affect psychopharmacological treatment in a negative way. Reevaluation of dissociative symptoms at the beginning and end of treatment would help in planning personal therapy.