ASSESSING THE PREVALENCE OF PANIC DISORDERS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS IN KARACHI: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the prevalence of panic disorders and their correlation with medical stressors among Karachi's undergraduate medical students.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 296 students from various institutions. The study took place within Karachi's medical institutes. Subjects: 148 male and 148 female students participated, with a mean age of 21.6±1.5.

Interventions: The sample answered a questionnaire in Google Form in which demographic variables were used, questions about anxiety, DSM-5 criteria of panic disorder, and the experiences of medical stressors. Findings: The frequency of panic disorder among the participants was 35.8 per cent and anxiety attacks were reported by 32.4 per cent. Females had overwhelmingly higher rates of panic disorders (p=0.005). But there was no important correlation between medical stressors and panic disorders (p=0.083). Conclusion: The study reveals alarming rates of panic disorder and anxiety in a sample of medical students and the necessity of mental health interventions and increased awareness that gender is male. Additional studies using bigger samples are essential to determine the relationships between panic disorder and stressors. This highlights the need to take the well-being of students seriously and promote holistic mental health care in academic institutions.