Which of the following is a common comorbidity with Panic Disorder?

• A. Generalized anxiety disorder
• B. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• C. Posttraumatic stress disorder
• D. Major depressive disorder

Answer: (D)

Panic disorder often overlaps with other mental health conditions, and mood disorders are particularly common in this overlap. The recurrent panic attacks and the ongoing fear of having more attacks can lead to persistent worry, sleep disturbance, loss of interest, and reduced functioning, which are hallmark features of major depressive disorder. Over time, the accumulated impairment and chronic distress from panic can contribute to depressive symptoms, making major depressive disorder a frequent comorbidity in people with panic disorder. Shared vulnerability factors—such as dysregulation of fear and mood circuits in the brain and genetic or environmental influences—help explain why these conditions often occur together. Clinically, recognizing a coexisting major depressive disorder is important because it guides treatment toward addressing both anxiety and depressive symptoms, with approaches like SSRIs or SNRIs and integrated therapy. While generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, and OCD can also appear with panic disorder, major depressive disorder is especially common in this context.