More education could lead to better diagnosis of panic attacks
By Dipali Pathak
Panic attacks can often be confused with other medical problems, but if physicians were better educated about the symptoms, this may be less likely to occur.
Baylor College of Medicine researchers surveyed physicians on the topic. A report of their study appears in the online version of the Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings.
"Because symptoms of panic attacks can be confused with those of other medical problems related to the heart and gastrointestinal tract as well as neurological problems, a lack of knowledge about panic attacks can lead to unnecessary referrals and tests," said Ellen Teng, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at BCM and clinical research psychologist at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Treatment options surveyed
Researchers evaluated 95 surveys received from cardiologists, gastroenterologists and neurologists in the Houston area. The survey questions included information about those most at risk for panic attacks and treatment options.
The physicians answered only half of the survey questions about panic attacks correctly. There was no difference in knowledge among the three specialty groups.
While 94 percent recognized medication as a way to treat panic and anxiety symptoms, only about 30 percent recognized cognitive behavioral therapy to educate patients about panic attacks and their symptoms and give them tools to deal with the problem as the treatment of choice.
"Medication does treat the short-term aspects of panic attacks such as shortness of breath and a racing heart, but cognitive behavioral therapy treats panic disorder in the long term," said Teng.
Only slightly more than half of the physicians surveyed believed that psychologists could treat panic attacks directly and effectively through this technique.
Increase awareness
Teng called for increased awareness of panic disorder among physicians. She also recommends providing resources and literature for physicians to make appropriate referrals to psychologists.
Common symptoms of a panic attack include heart pounding, shortness of breath, light headedness and trembling. Panic disorder develops when several panic attacks occur out of the blue. Patients then worry about what the attack means and when the next one will take place, which may cause them to avoid certain places or events.
If a panic attack does occur for the first time, Teng recommends seeing a physician to rule out the risk of heart disease or another serious problem.
Others who took part in this research include Drs. Angelic D. Chaison, Sara D. Bailey, Joseph D. Hamilton and Nancy Jo Dunn, all of BCM and the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Funding for this work came from the South Central Mental Illness, Research, Education and Clinical Centers, a part of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
