Sleep disturbance in panic disorder

Introduction. Panic disorder (PD) and sleep disorders are closely pathologically linked, forming a vicious circle of mutual negative influence. On the one hand, PD, characterized by repeated panic attacks and anxiety, provokes hyperarousal of the nervous system, which disrupts sleeping and sleep maintenance. On the other hand, insomnia aggravates the worrying symptom, increasing the risk of PD recurrence. Published studies demonstrate a correlation between sleep disturbances and anxiety, necessitating a comprehensive approach to therapy. Aim. To evaluate the dynamics of sleep disorders during the treatment of PD. Materials and methods. Our study included 50 participants: 30 with PD and sleep disorders and 20 healthy. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Spiegel Scale were used to assess sleep quality. Results . Testing of patients with PD revealed significant sleep disturbances, statistically significantly different from those of the healthy control group participants. A significant correlation was found between the severity of the primary disorder and the degree of sleep disturbances: in the subgroup with severe PD, sleep quality was significantly worse according to the scales than in the subgroup with moderate PD. After 8 weeks of treatment, including pharmacotherapy for PD and not specifically targeting insomnia, a statistically significant improvement in sleep quality was observed, although it did not reach the levels characteristic of healthy subjects. Conclusions. Pharmacological treatment of PD is highly effective in addressing comorbid insomnia, but additional methods for correcting sleep disturbances are necessary to achieve better therapeutic outcomes. Further research is needed to optimize treatment approaches and select appropriate therapeutic interventions.