New Evidence for Physical Changes in Biology Caused by Panic and Anxiety

After experiencing a traumatic or stressful event – such as a war, a natural disaster, or car accident – people are more at risk to develop a panic and anxiety disorder.  New research shows that these events, when they trigger an anxiety disorder known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can actually alter the molecular makeup of the DNA.

Monica Uddin is a molecular epidemiologist at the University of Michigan, and her work is adding to the growing amount of new information about panic and anxiety disorders such as PTSD.  In her new study, Uddin and her team studied a group of PTSD patients from Detroit and observed their brain chemistry.  This data was then compared to the brain chemistry of a set of adults without PTSD.  The results were surprising, to say the least.  Researchers found particular chemical tracers on the DNA of panic and anxiety disorder patients, especially tracers related to the function of the immune system.  The level of these tracers was much higher among those with PTSD, leading to the conclusion that panic and anxiety disorders may cause the immune system to be more active than necessary. 

Uddin says that this new information should reassure those with PTSD and other panic and anxiety disorders that their disease has a basis in biology, and is not just in their head.  Particularly the opposite is the case – the after effects of a traumatic event can physically alter the chemistry of the brain and lead to noticeable, tangible physical and mental changes.  Uddin says that for the 17 percent of Americans living with PTSD, and for the many millions more with other anxiety disorders, this research could pave the way for new pharmacological treatments to target the overactive areas of the immune system, giving hope to veterans and other victims of traumatic experience.