SMU: Out-of-the-blue panic attacks aren't without warning

Panic attacks that seem to strike out-of-the-blue are not without warning after all, says psychologist Alicia Meuret, Southern Methodist University, Dallas.

A new study found significant physiological instability one hour before patients reported feeling a panic attack, Meuret says.

The findings suggest potentially new treatments for panic, and re-examination of other "unexpected" medical problems, including seizures, strokes and manic episodes. See www.smuresearch.com for article.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Dedman College
• Alicia Meuret
• SMU Department of Psychology
• David Rosenfield
• Thomas Ritz
• panic
• Biological Psychiatry
• ambulatory monitoring
• out-of-the-blue
• unexpected panic attacks
• cued panic attacks
• expected panic attacks

[StropewafelBWC]

hey is that moxie??????

[shalom64112]

Jrmwlkr, I would expect just the opposite. "Out of the blue" panic attacks would seem to have no antecedent cognitions or physiological precursors. But now that they're seen as not actually "out of the blue," I would guess patients can be taught not only to identify not only the subtle physiological changes, but also the cognitions which precede the attack. I'd also guess, then, that even the uncued attacks will turn out actually to have cues which the patient has been unaware of.

[Jrmwlkr]

This is really interesting research. So, if the physical symptoms are occurring so far in advance of the patient being aware of the attack, does that mean that cognitive therapy will be relatively ineffective?