Ideational components of anxiety: their origin and content

Twenty-five out-patients with generalised anxiety or panic disorders were interviewed. A characteristic ideational component was identified, centering on the theme of personal danger and, in particular, on physical harm. A range of features of the ideational content is described. In the 12 months preceding onset 88 per cent of the patients had experienced significant stresses. For 50 per cent the onset of panic attacks was precipitated by somatic symptoms other than those of anxiety. The relationship between ideational content, stress and somatic symptoms is discussed.