FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY OF PANIC ATTACK SYMPTOMS IN A TREATMENT SEEKING SAMPLE OF TRAUMA VICTIMS

This study assessed the frequency and severity of panic attack symptom s and panic attacks that develop in relation to the experience of trau matic events in 62 subjects seeking treatment for trauma-related sympt omatology. Results indicated a high incidence of panic attacks (69%). Many individuals also thought they were going crazy or losing control (72%) or having a heart attack (38%) within the 2 weeks prior to asses sment. These findings indicate that similar to panic disorder ed patie nts, many trauma victims with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) not only experience physiological symptoms of panic, bat are also fearful of these symptoms.