Illness attitudes and coping process in subjects with panic attacks

Personality disorders may affect comorbidity and health care utilization in subjects with panic attacks. The purpose of this study was to identify differences in illness attitudes and behaviors, and in coping strategies in community-based subjects with panic attacks compared with controls. A community-based sample of 97 subjects meeting DSM-III-R criteria and matched controls completed the Illness Behavior Questionnaire, the Illness Attitude Scale, and the Ways of Coping Checklist. The panic group reported less healthy attitudes and behaviors. Although there were no panic-control differences in use of positive coping strategies, the panic group reported more use of negative coping strategies. The differences in illness attitudes and behaviors, and in coping strategies, may explain comorbidity and care-seeking behavior in subjects with panic attacks.