sam
09-15-2007, 04:25 PM
One More Reason Not to Start
Chronic smoking during adolescence could increase the risk of anxiety disorders in early adulthood, according to a study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association. Teens who smoke at least a pack a day may develop generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and/or agoraphobia.
Researchers supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) performed the study to increase understanding about the association between cigarette smoking and psychiatric disorders. Additionally, researchers wondered if the effects of smoking on respiration might increase the risk of panic disorder, a condition that has been connected to breathing problems in adults.
688 teenagers from 976 families in Upstate New York participated in the study.
The teens were interviewed at the mean age of 16, during the years 1985-1986, and again at the mean age of 22, during the years 1991-1993. At 16, 6% of the participants smoked 20 or more cigarettes per day. The number increased to 15% by age 22.
Of the participants who smoked 20 cigarettes or more per day, 31% went on to develop an anxiety disorder during young adulthood. Below is the percentage of participants who developed each disorder, and whether or not they smoked as teens:
Agoraphobia
Teens who smoked - 10.3%
Teens who didn't smoke - 1.8%
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Teens who smoked - 20.5%
Teens who didn't smoke - 3.71%
Panic Disorder
Teens who smoked - 7.7%
Teens who didn't smoke - 0.6%
Of the teens who smoked, 42% began smoking before being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder while only 19% were diagnosed with an anxiety disorder before they began smoking. According to the researchers, cigarette smoking does not appear to increase the risk of developing obsessive-compulsive disorder or social anxiety disorder.
Another important result from the study is that anxiety disorders during the teenage years do not appear to increase the risk of chronic smoking during adulthood. 14% of teens with anxiety disorders smoked 20 or more cigarettes per day in early adulthood, and 15% of teens without anxiety disorders were also chronic smokers.
The researchers do not know why smoking increases the risk of anxiety disorders, but they believe further study is necessary, particularly into the relationship between anxiety disorders and impaired respiration caused by cigarette smoking. Most importantly, these results are one more reason why teens should be encouraged not to begin smoking.
Reference: Johnson JG, Cohen P, Pine DS, Klein DF, Kasen S, Brook JS (2000), Association between cigarette smoking and anxiety disorders during adolescence and early adulthood. JAMA 284:2348-2351.
thanks,
minxy.
Chronic smoking during adolescence could increase the risk of anxiety disorders in early adulthood, according to a study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association. Teens who smoke at least a pack a day may develop generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and/or agoraphobia.
Researchers supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) performed the study to increase understanding about the association between cigarette smoking and psychiatric disorders. Additionally, researchers wondered if the effects of smoking on respiration might increase the risk of panic disorder, a condition that has been connected to breathing problems in adults.
688 teenagers from 976 families in Upstate New York participated in the study.
The teens were interviewed at the mean age of 16, during the years 1985-1986, and again at the mean age of 22, during the years 1991-1993. At 16, 6% of the participants smoked 20 or more cigarettes per day. The number increased to 15% by age 22.
Of the participants who smoked 20 cigarettes or more per day, 31% went on to develop an anxiety disorder during young adulthood. Below is the percentage of participants who developed each disorder, and whether or not they smoked as teens:
Agoraphobia
Teens who smoked - 10.3%
Teens who didn't smoke - 1.8%
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Teens who smoked - 20.5%
Teens who didn't smoke - 3.71%
Panic Disorder
Teens who smoked - 7.7%
Teens who didn't smoke - 0.6%
Of the teens who smoked, 42% began smoking before being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder while only 19% were diagnosed with an anxiety disorder before they began smoking. According to the researchers, cigarette smoking does not appear to increase the risk of developing obsessive-compulsive disorder or social anxiety disorder.
Another important result from the study is that anxiety disorders during the teenage years do not appear to increase the risk of chronic smoking during adulthood. 14% of teens with anxiety disorders smoked 20 or more cigarettes per day in early adulthood, and 15% of teens without anxiety disorders were also chronic smokers.
The researchers do not know why smoking increases the risk of anxiety disorders, but they believe further study is necessary, particularly into the relationship between anxiety disorders and impaired respiration caused by cigarette smoking. Most importantly, these results are one more reason why teens should be encouraged not to begin smoking.
Reference: Johnson JG, Cohen P, Pine DS, Klein DF, Kasen S, Brook JS (2000), Association between cigarette smoking and anxiety disorders during adolescence and early adulthood. JAMA 284:2348-2351.
thanks,
minxy.