Javaid I. Sheikh

My research focuses on studying phenomenology, vulnerability factors, and psychiatric and medical comorbidity of panic disorder in old age, as well as treatment responses to medication in elders with panic disorder. I am presently involved in establishing and extending our preliminary finding that Late-Onset Panic Disorder (LOPD) (onset at or after age 55) is a phenomenologically distinct syndrome from Early-Onset Panic Disorder (EOPD). This is being accomplished by comparing LOPD subjects with EOPD subjects on multiple standardized measures assessing the domains of phenomenology, vulnerability factors, and psychiatric and medical comorbidity. Additionally, our group has recently completed pilot studies of both pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment strategies of panic disorder in old age. Presently, we are planning a large-scale study comparing the efficacy of pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments of panic disorder in older adults. Finally, a pilot project to investigate the phenomenology and treatment of anxiety in older Asian-Americans is underway.