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The experience of panic attacks in adolescents : an interpretative phenomenological analysis study

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Hewitt, Olivia Mary, Tomlin, Alice and Waite, Polly (2021) The experience of panic attacks in adolescents : an interpretative phenomenological analysis study. Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, 23 (3). 240-253 . doi:10.1080/13632752.2021.1948742 ISSN 1363-2752.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13632752.2021.1948742

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Abstract

Panic attacks are common in adolescents and are experienced in several mental health difficulties. In adults, cognitions during panic attacks comprise mental images as well as thoughts. No qualitative research into panic attacks has been conducted with adolescents. Better understanding of the experience of panic attacks, including the presence and nature of mental images, may improve treatments. Nine adolescents (15–18 years) completed a semi-structured interview exploring experiences of panic attacks. Data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Six superordinate themes reflected the intense nature of having a panic attack, being unable to think and fearing losing control of one’s mind, a disconnect in feeling the panic attack would never end versus knowing from experience that it would, feeling completely out of control during the attack, feeling embarrassment and shame, feeling cut-off and isolated from others, and trying to find ways to cope through distraction, avoidance and learning to understand the thoughts. Mental images enhanced the intensity of panic. Several aspects of the findings were consistent with the cognitive model of panic disorder in adults. The impact of panic on normative adolescent developmental tasks is discussed. Interventions should be adapted for adolescents’ developmental stage and consider any mental images.

Item Type: Journal Article
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
R Medicine > RC Internal medicine
R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics
Divisions: Faculty of Social Sciences > Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research (CEDAR)
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): Panic attacks , Anxiety disorders , Anxiety in adolescence , Adolescent psychology , Teenagers -- Mental health, Panic disorders
Journal or Publication Title: Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISSN: 1363-2752
Official Date: 10 September 2021
Dates:
DateEvent
10 September 2021Published
17 June 2021Accepted
Volume: 23
Number: 3
Page Range: 240-253
DOI: 10.1080/13632752.2021.1948742
Status: Peer Reviewed
Publication Status: Published
Access rights to Published version: Open Access (Creative Commons)
Date of first compliant deposit: 15 September 2021
Date of first compliant Open Access: 16 September 2021
RIOXX Funder/Project Grant:
Project/Grant IDRIOXX Funder NameFunder ID
PDF-2016-09-092 National Institute for Health Researchhttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000272
NIHR300501National Institute for Health Researchhttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000272

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