Relationship between panic attack symptoms and cognitions in panic disorder patients

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the nature and relation of the distressing cognitions and symptoms experienced during panic attacks prospectively, via self-monitoring. Thirty-six patients recorded a total of 285 panic attacks over a two-week period. The results showed that nearly all (91%) of the recorded full-blown attacks (> 4 symptoms) contained catastrophic cognitions, but among limited-symptom attacks (≥ 4 symptoms) only 57% did so. Furthermore, panic attacks with catastrophical cognitions were experienced as more severe and included more symptoms than did the non-catastrophical attacks. Finally, five panic symptoms were also meaningfully related to the bodily sensations experienced. The results largely support the cognitive theory of panic disorder. Implications of the findings for cognitive theory, for assessment of panic attacks, and for the diagnosis of panic disorder are discussed.