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Thomas J. Barloon, MD; Russell Noyes, Jr, MD

JAMA. 1997;277(2):138-141.

Abstract
Charles Darwin (1809-1882) suffered from a chronic illness that, throughout much of his adult life, impaired his functioning and severely limited his activities. The writings of this famous scientist as well as biographical materials indicate that he probably suffered from an anxiety disorder. His symptoms, when considered individually, suggest a variety of conditions, but taken together they point toward panic disorder with agoraphobia. This diagnosis brings coherence to Darwin's activities and explains his secluded lifestyle, including difficulty in speaking before groups and meeting with colleagues.

Author Affiliations
From the Departments of Radiology (Dr Barloon) and Psychiatry (Dr Noyes), The University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City.

Footnotes
Reprints: Thomas J. Barloon, MD, Department of Radiology, The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Dr, Iowa City, IA 52242.

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