Research
Panic
Anxiety Education
Management Services
An Analysis of Uncued Panic Attacks in Panic
Disorder - Part5
RESULTS
Symptoms
Table 10 show the 47 symptoms occurring prior, during and after a
panic attack or limited symptom (anxiety) attack and those
experienced continually in the cycle of Panic Disorder and other
Anxiety Disorder.
| Symptom |
Prior PD(AD) |
During PD(AD) |
After PD(AD) |
Continually PD(AD) |
Total PD(AD) |
| Increased pulse rate |
42%(31%) |
64%(81%) |
17%(13%) |
22%(6%) |
89%(88%) |
| Missed heart beats |
28%(19%) |
39%(25%) |
17%(6%) |
17%(13%) |
69%(38%) |
| Chest pain |
25%(13%) |
33%(25%) |
14%(6%) |
14%(0%) |
56%(31%) |
| Hyperventilation |
25%(6%) |
44%(44%) |
11%(13%) |
14%(0%) |
64%(50%) |
| Tightening of throat |
36%(0%) |
31%(44%) |
11%(13%) |
19%(0%) |
64%(44%) |
| Difficulty breathing |
31%(6%) |
44%(38%) |
11%(6%) |
25%(6%) |
75%(43%) |
| Choking sensation |
22%(0%) |
31%(31%) |
6%(13%) |
17%(0%) |
56%(31%) |
| Nausea |
19%(13%) |
31%(38%) |
22%(31%) |
17%(6%) |
61%(50%) |
| Indigestion |
14%(0%) |
6%(6%) |
6%(0%) |
11%(0%) |
28%(6%) |
| Burning stomach |
28%(0%) |
22%(6%) |
6%(0%) |
8%(0%) |
39%(6%) |
| Abdominal pain |
11%(0%) |
17%(0%) |
6%(13%) |
19%(6%) |
39%(19%) |
| Digestive problems |
14%(0%) |
14%(13%) |
11%(13%) |
22%(6%) |
44%(25%) |
| Sensitivity to light |
36%(31%) |
31%(25%) |
38%(11%) |
25%(19%) |
69%(44%) |
| Tunnel vision |
25%(13%) |
25%(13%) |
3%(3%) |
11%(0%) |
56%(25%) |
| Objects moving |
17%(6%) |
28%(13%) |
3%(3%) |
11%(0%) |
42%(13%) |
| Acute vision |
8%(0%) |
17%(13%) |
6%(6%) |
8%(0%) |
28%(13%) |
| Symptom |
Prior PD(AD) |
During PD(AD) |
After PD(AD) |
Continually PD(AD) |
Total PD(AD) |
| Diminished vision |
19%(13%) |
22%(13%) |
17%(6%) |
8%(0%) |
44%(19%) |
| Eyes burning |
19%(0%) |
17%(6%) |
6%(6%) |
6%(0%) |
31%(13%) |
| Intolerance to noise |
33%(13%) |
36%(13%) |
28%(19%) |
28%(13%) |
78%(25%) |
| Acute hearing |
25%(6%) |
28%(13%) |
19%(13%) |
25%(13%) |
64%(31%) |
| Hot flashes |
39%(19%) |
61%(25%) |
17%(6%) |
22%(0%) |
89%(44%) |
| Flushing face |
36%(0%) |
47%(25%) |
17%(6%) |
17%(0%) |
72%(25%) |
| Feeling faint |
39%(13%) |
42%(44%) |
17%(13%) |
25%(0%) |
72%(56%) |
| Lightheadedness |
39%(19%) |
50%(50%) |
19%(19%) |
28%(6%) |
86%(56%) |
| Giddiness |
31%(6%) |
47%(38%) |
17%(13%) |
31%(0%) |
78%(44%) |
| Pins and needles |
11%(13%) |
25%(38%) |
14%(0%) |
14%(0%) |
47%(44%) |
| Difficulty sleeping |
17%(6%) |
25%(25%) |
17%(13%) |
39%(19%) |
67%(38%) |
| Diarrhoea |
19%(0%) |
28%(19%) |
25%(6%) |
6%(0%) |
47%(25%) |
| Localised pressure |
11%(19%) |
22%(13%) |
6%(6%) |
14%(0%) |
42%(25%) |
| Cold flashes |
8%(19%) |
25%(13%0 |
19%(0%) |
17%(0%) |
47%(31%) |
| Night sweats |
17%(13%) |
19%(6%) |
14%(13%) |
25%(0%) |
50%(25%) |
| Symptom |
Prior PD(AD) |
During PD(AD) |
After PD(AD) |
Continually PD(AD) |
Total PD(AD) |
| Shaking/ trembling |
17%(31%) |
47%(38%) |
39%(25%) |
31%(0%) |
92%(63%) |
| Headaches |
22%(6%) |
17%(13%) |
28%(25%) |
28%(0%) |
67%(31%) |
| Neck aches |
19%(6%) |
14%(6%) |
28%(13%) |
36%(13%) |
69%(19%) |
| Lower back pain |
6%(0%) |
6%(0%) |
14%(13%) |
22%(0%) |
36%(13%) |
| Backaches |
3%(0%) |
0%(0%) |
3%(6%) |
28%(0%) |
33%(6%) |
| Sciatica |
6%(0%) |
6%(6%) |
6%(6%) |
19%(0%) |
31%(13%) |
| Numbness in hands |
11%(13%) |
8%(25%) |
6%(6%) |
19%(0%) |
31%(13%) |
| Migratory pains |
3%(6%) |
6%(0%) |
3%(0%) |
31%(6%) |
33%(13%) |
| Pelvic pains |
0%(0%) |
0%(0%) |
6%(6%) |
17%(6%) |
19%(13%) |
| Unexplained rashes |
0%(13%) |
0%(0%) |
6%(6%) |
25%(6%) |
31%(19%) |
| Appetite swings |
14%(0%) |
6%(0%) |
6%(6%) |
31%(13%) |
42%(19%) |
| Lack of concentration |
19%(19%) |
25%(25%) |
14%(25%) |
47%(19%) |
81%(44%) |
| Chronic temporary pain |
6%(6%) |
3%(0%) |
0%(0%) |
28%(6%) |
36%(13%) |
| Extreme exhaustion |
14%(19%) |
8%(6%) |
25%(38%) |
39%(19%) |
67%(63%) |
| Depression |
14%(25%) |
8%(13%) |
36%(38%) |
36%(13%) |
81%(50%) |
| Temporary paralysis |
0%(0%) |
8%(0%) |
6%(0%) |
3%(0%) |
17%(0%) |
Analysis of the data show the symptoms that occur primarily prior
to both the limited symptom (anxiety) attack and panic attack are:
sensitivity to light, tunnel vision, diminished vision. Symptoms
occurring predominantly prior to just a panic attack (not limited
symptom attack) are: tight throat, indigestion, burning sensations
in the stomach, digestive problems, objects moving, eyes burning,
intolerance to noise and acute hearing.
Those symptoms that predominantly occur during both the limited
symptom attack and panic attack are: missed heart beats, chest pain,
hyperventilation, tight throat, difficulty breathing, increased
pulse rate, choking sensations, nausea, sensitvity to light, tunnel
vision, acute vision, diminished vision, feeling faint,
lightheadedness, giddiness, pins and needles, diarrhoea,
shaking/trembling, and localised pressure. Symptoms occurring
predominantly during only a panic attack (not limited symptom
attack) are: burning sensations in the stomach, abdominal pain,
objects appear to move, eyes burning, intolerance to noise, acute
hearing, temporary paralysis, hot flashes. flushing face and cold
flushes.
Those symptoms that predominantly occur after both the panic attack
and anxiety attack are: nausea, shaking/trembling, headaches and
depression. Symptoms occurring predominantly after a panic attack
are: sensitivity to light, diminished vision, diarrhoea and cold
flashes.
The symptoms that occur conitnually through the Panic Disorder and
other Anxiety Disorder cycle are: difficulty sleeping, lack of
concentration, Neck aches, extreme exhaustion, appetite swings and
depression. The symptoms that occur continually through the Panic
Disorder cycle are: abdominal pain, digestive problems, hot flashes,
giddiness, feeling faint, lightheadedness, localised pressure, night
sweats, shaking/trembling, headaches, lower back pain, backaches,
sciatica, numbness of the hands and feet, migratory unexplainable
body pains, resurrent pelvic pains, unexplainable rashes, and
chronic/temporary pains all over the body.
Compared with other Anxiety Dsiorder participants, a higher
proportion of Panic Disorder participants report experiencing the
following symptoms: difficulty breathing, burning sensation in
stomach, sensitivity to light, tunnel vision, objects appear to
move, diminished vision, intolerance to noise, acute hearing,
giddiness, difficulty sleeping, hot flashes, flushing face,
shaking/trembling, headaches, Neck aches, backaches, lack of
concentration, depression, and temporary paralysis. Significant in
the above data is that the sensory symptoms effecting the eyes
(seeing) and ears (hearing) effect the Panic Disorder participants
to a higher degree than other Anxiety Disorder participants. This
corresponds to the Dissociative resutls that would effect these
sensory areas.
Although the number of physical symptoms experienced are
overwhelming, not all of the symptoms are experienced during a panic
attack or anxiety attack. (see DSM4 criterion).
Breathing
pattern analysis
Table 11. shows the results of the investigation of the breathing
patterns observed prior, during and after the panic attack and
anxiety attack. Eight breathing descriptors were queried to
ascertain the role of breathing patterns throughout the actual
attack.
Table 11. Breathing patterns
occurring prior, during and
after panic/ anxiety attack. Panic Disorder (Other Anxiety
Disorder)
| Breathing
patterns |
Prior PD(AD) |
During PD(AD) |
After PD(AD) |
| Slow, long deep |
14%(6%) |
17%(0%) |
31%(19%) |
| Show shallow |
14%(6%) |
11%(25%) |
11%(13%) |
| Rapid, deep powerful |
17%(19%) |
22%(13%) |
11%(0%) |
| Rapid shallow [2-3 breaths/sec] |
39%(25%) |
53%(32%) |
22%(13%) |
| Normal rate shallow |
28%(25%) |
14%(25%) |
28%(19%) |
| Normal rate very deep |
14%(0%) |
8%(0%) |
19%(6%) |
| Normal rate normal |
25%(6%) |
8%(0%) |
19%(19%) |
| Almost stopped |
25%(19%) |
11%(19%) |
8%(13%) |
| Have to breath consciously |
78%(50%) |
|
|
| Can't breath and fill lungs |
78%(38%) |
|
|
Other Anxiety Disorder participants reported that prior to a limited
symptom (anxiety) attack they experienced predominantly shallow
breathng (either at a normal rate of inhalation or very rapid [2-3
breaths/sec]. During the limited symptom attack they reported once
again the breathing was shallow (either slow, normal or rapid).
After the limited symptom attack has subsided, they reported
breathing was predominantly either normal rate (shallow or normal
inhalation) or long, slow and deep. Panic Disorder participants
reported that prior to a panic attack they experienced predominantly
shallow breathing (either at a normal rate of inhalation or very
rapid [2-3 breaths/sec] and significanty normal rate/normal
inhalation or almost stopped - barely noticable. During the panic
attack they reported once again the breathing was shallow/rapid [2-3
breaths/sec] and less significantly rapid, deep and powerful. After
the panic attack has subsided, they reported breathing was
predominantly either long, slow and deep or shallow (either at a
normal rate of inhalation or very rapid.
It is acknowledged that breathing patterns may vary from panic
attack to panic attack and general patterns can only be observed. In
addition to the breathing patterns prior, during and after the
attack, the participants reported on specific breathing patterns
that occur prior to the attack. Compared to other Anxiety Disorder
participants, a higher proportion of Panic Disorder participants
report that prior to an attack they have experienced that they can't
breath deep enough to fill their lungs (78% vs 38%, P<0.01), and
they have experienced that they have to breath consciously ie.
breath in and out through their own effort (78% vs 50%, P<0.09).
Meditation
effectiveness
Table 12 shows the results of the investigation into the
effectiveness of meditation as a recovery method for Anxiety
Disorders.
Table 12. Results of investigation
into effectiveness of meditation in
recovery process from Panic/ Anxiety Disorder.
| Meditation Investigation |
Panic Disorder participants |
Other Anxiety Disorders
participants |
| Experience lower frequency of energy and anxiety since
meditating |
86% |
100% |
| Experience less powerful energy and anxiety since
meditating |
75% |
82% |
| Less intense energy and anxiety after learning to
meditate regularly |
60% |
63% |
| Greater intensity energy and anxiety after learning to
meditate |
4% |
0% |
| Same intensity energy after learning to meditate
regularly |
36% |
13% |
| Decrease in duration of energy and anxiety of learning
to meditate |
75% |
50% |
| Increase in duration of energy and anxiety after
learning to meditate |
4% |
0% |
| Same duration of energy and anxiety after learning to
meditate |
25% |
38% |
Both Panic Disorder and other Anxiety Disorder participants
experienced lower frequency (86% vs 100% respectively), less
powerful panic and anxiety since meditating (75% vs 82%
respectively). Also, both groups reported to a significant degree
experiencing less intense panic and anxiety (60% vs 63%
respectively) and a decrease in the duration of panic and anxiety
(75% vs 50% respectively).
The results show that meditation is a very effective method to
assist recovery from Panic Disorder and Anxiety Disorder.
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