Article

Factors associated with panic attacks in nonclinical subjects

University of Winnipeg, USA
Behavior Therapy DOI:10.1016/S0005-7894(86)80054-5 pp.239-252

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to (a) compare people who experienced recent panic attacks (panickers) with nonpanickers and (b) determine, the factors associated with panic attacks in nonclinical subjects. Two hundred and fifty-six students completed the Panic Attack Questionnaire (PAQ), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Beck Depression, Inventory (BDI), the Profile of Mood States (POMS), and two measures of fear/avoidance. Over 22% of the subjects reported one or more panic attacks in the 3 weeks, prior to testing. Comparisons of panickers and nonpanickers showed that panickers (a) scored higher on measures of anxiety, depression, etc., and (b) reported more first-order relatives who have panic attacks. The panic attacks were characterized by (a) having a sudden onset, (b) an average of eight DSM-III symptoms, and (c) occurring in a wide variety of situations (especially social situations). Subjects who experienced unpredictable panic attacks differed, on several measures from subjects with only predictable attacks. Finally, panickers reported experiencing several symptoms not included in DSM-III. Similarities, between panickers and patients with Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia and the assessment of panic-related, disorders are discussed.

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Keywords

3 weeks
 
Agoraphobia
 
Beck Depression
 
DSM-III symptoms
 
first-order relatives
 
Mood States
 
nonclinical subjects
 
nonpanickers
 
Panic Attack Questionnaire
 
panic attacks
 
Panic Disorder
 
panic-related
 
panickers
 
predictable attacks
 
recent panic attacks
 
social situations
 
State-Trait Anxiety Inventory
 
sudden onset
 
unpredictable panic attacks
 
wide variety
 

G Ron Norton