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Related Experiment Videos

Predicted versus unpredicted panic attacks: acute versus general distress

M G Craske1, D Glover, J DeCola

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles 90024-1563.

Journal of Abnormal Psychology
|February 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary

Predicting panic attacks, even if inaccurate, may reduce anxiety and worry. However, predicted panic attacks were linked to increased agoraphobic avoidance in patients with panic disorder.

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Area of Science:

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry
  • Anxiety Disorders

Background:

  • Predictability of aversive events influences emotional and behavioral responses.
  • The clinical phenomenon of panic attacks in panic disorder may parallel experimental findings on predictability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the acute and longer-term effects of predicted versus unpredicted panic attacks.
  • To assess if experimental observations of predictability effects in aversive events apply to panic disorder.

Main Methods:

  • A sample of patients with panic disorder self-monitored panic attacks over a 2-week interval.
  • Daily ratings of anxiety and worry were collected.
  • Distress indexes and agoraphobic avoidance were assessed.

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Main Results:

  • Anxiety and worry increased the day after unpredicted panic attacks and decreased/stabilized after predicted panic attacks.
  • These patterns were not observed in patients experiencing only one type of panic or influenced by panic frequency.
  • Acute distress did not differ, but predicted panic attacks were associated with more pervasive agoraphobic avoidance.

Conclusions:

  • The predictability of panic attacks influences subsequent anxiety and worry levels.
  • Predicted panic attacks may lead to increased agoraphobic avoidance, despite reduced anxiety.
  • Findings relate to safety-signal theory and offer insights into panic disorder management.