A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of
getting a disease or condition. It is possible to develop panic
disorder with or without the risk factors listed below. However,
the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of
developing panic disorder is. If you have a number of risk
factors, ask your doctor what you can do to reduce your risk.
Panic disorder typically develops between the ages of 15-24,
especially for men. However, it can also begin in the 30s and
40s, especially for women. The prevalence of panic disorder
seems to be increasing in younger generations. Panic disorder is
twice as common in women as in men. Pregnancy can either improve
the condition or make it worse. Panic disorder with is more
common in women, too. Approximately 80% of severe agoraphobics
are women. There is some evidence that panic disorder and other
anxiety disorders tend to run in families. Many studies have
shown that panic disorder is common among first-degree relatives
of people with panic dis