Expected versus unexpected panic attacks: A naturalistic prospective study

The purpose of this study was to identify factors that are associated with expectation of panic attacks as well as to validate the hypothesized tenden cy to identify false (panic) alarms in panic disorder. Ten women with panic disorder were assessed naturalistically using computer-assisted self-monit oring. This allowed for prospective assessment of expected versus unexpecte d panic attacks. Expectation of panic attacks was associated with panic occ urrence, as well as elevated sense of threat or danger, anxiety, helplessne ss, avoidance, distress about physical symptoms, physical sensations, and c atastrophic thoughts prior to the attack. In general the state measured pri or to unexpected attacks did not differ from ongoing nonpanic state. Furthe rmore, none of the variables measured during the attacks were able to disti nguish unexpected attacks from expected attacks. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.