Panic attacks experienced in relation to disasters do not increase the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder.
Panic attacks experienced in relation to disasters do not increase the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder. The attacks may, however, make a person more vulnerable to life events that do increase the risk.
Several studies in the past have suggested that experiencing a peritraumatic panic attack during a traumatic event predicts future mental health status. To judge if this holds true or not, researchers from America assessed exposure to the World Trade Center disaster and other negative life events, demographic factors, social support, self-esteem, and onset of panic attack in predicting health outcome among 1681 New York City residents two years after the attack.
Initially, it appeared that panic attacks did give rise to a number of adverse outcomes two years after the event like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, poor physical health, anxiety, binge drinking, and mental health treatment seeking. However, after accounting for other negative life events, demographic factors, social support, and self-esteem, there was little evidence to support this association.
Contrary to the earlier beliefs, it was found that not peritraumatic panic attacks but recent negative life events and current self-esteem at follow-up were the best predictors of health outcomes.
The researchers recommended that the emphasis of treatment to prevent future psychological problems after such exposures should be more focused on building self-esteem, resilience, and on positive psychological factors, not on fear conditioning and managing panic attacks.
Several studies in the past have suggested that experiencing a peritraumatic panic attack during a traumatic event predicts future mental health status. To judge if this holds true or not, researchers from America assessed exposure to the World Trade Center disaster and other negative life events, demographic factors, social support, self-esteem, and onset of panic attack in predicting health outcome among 1681 New York City residents two years after the attack.
Initially, it appeared that panic attacks did give rise to a number of adverse outcomes two years after the event like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, poor physical health, anxiety, binge drinking, and mental health treatment seeking. However, after accounting for other negative life events, demographic factors, social support, and self-esteem, there was little evidence to support this association.
Contrary to the earlier beliefs, it was found that not peritraumatic panic attacks but recent negative life events and current self-esteem at follow-up were the best predictors of health outcomes.
The researchers recommended that the emphasis of treatment to prevent future psychological problems after such exposures should be more focused on building self-esteem, resilience, and on positive psychological factors, not on fear conditioning and managing panic attacks.
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