Prediction of panic attacks and related variables

Twenty-six participants who met conservative criteria for having experienced one or more panic attacks were compared with 26 nonpanickers on various measures associated with panic attacks. In addition, regression analyses were used to determine if anxiety sensitivity or suffocation fears better predicted panic frequency and panic related phenomena (e.g., agoraphobic avoidance). The results showed the anxiety sensitivity was the better predictor of agoraphobic avoidance and perceived seriousness of the panic attacks. Both suffocation fears and anxiety sensitivity predicted bodily sensations associated with panic attacks with suffocation fears contributing the greater amount of unique variance. The importance and value of using nonclinical panickers (NPAs) is discussed in relation to our understanding of panic attacks and panic disorder. Recommendations for defining NPAs are provided.