Psychologists say they can predict who will panic

November 21, 1996
Web posted at: 10:10 p.m. EST

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Doctors say they have identified a psychological risk factor in the development of panic disorder that they hope can prevent people from having panic attacks.

It's called high anxiety sensitivity, and doctors think that by asking a set of simple questions, they can identify those who are most at risk of having a full-blown panic attack at some point in their lives.

The results of a study of more than 1,100 military cadets were announced at an American Psychological Association news conference in New York Thursday.

In the study, those who scored at the higher end of anxiety sensitivity were more than six times more likely to develop a spontaneous panic attack than those who scored at a lower level, the lead researcher told CNN.

Clinical psychologist Brad Schmidt of the Uniformed Services University explained that everyone has day-to-day fluctuations in heartbeats and breathing patterns. But he said it's the people who actually worry about those fluctuations -- that they will faint or that their heart is weak -- who are high-anxiety sensitive.

Examples of some of the questions are, "Does it scare or bother you if you notice your heart beating or if you become dizzy." There are 16 questions that assess a fear reaction to bodily sensations.

Schmidt says the responses "can identify those who in high stress situations are more apt to fall apart."

Seven percent of the general population at some point in their lives will experience a full blown panic attack, according to Schmidt.

Panic attacks cause a brief period of acute anxiety in which a person feels an intense fear of dying or losing one's ability to reason.

He said several studies indicate that panic disorder is the leading mental disorder that is the greatest contributor to health-care costs, because many people unnecessarily visit emergency rooms.

He said there's plenty of evidence that cognitive behavioral therapy can cure panic disorders and that drug therapy is not necessary. Psychiatrists often prescribe medication in combination with behavioral approaches to treat panic disorders.

 

Related sites:

• American Psychological Association
• Uniformed Services University

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