A descriptive report of features of initial unexpected panic attacks in minimal and extensive avoiders

Interview data from 162 subjects assigned a diagnosis of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia were analyzed regarding descriptive features of initial panic attacks. The extent to which groups of minimal and extensive avoiders were differentiated by such features was examined. Overall, initial panic attacks were likely to occur at any time of year, and were associated with reported stressors in 72% of the cases. The most frequently reported stressors were somatic in nature. Approximately half of the subjects reported experiencing similar although milder experiences prior to the first panic attack. No differences were found between minimal and extensive avoiders in terms of the presence of others, behavioral response, or location of the first panic attack. Nor did the groups differ with respect to the presence of other anxiety disorders prior to the first panic. However, extensive avoiders tended subsequently to develop additional anxiety disorders moreso than minimal avoiders. Initial panic attack locations were also judged to be more capable of blocking escape action tendencies associated with the fear/panic response in the extensive avoidance group.