 |
 |
January 2005
Children Whose Parents Have a History of Panic Attacks are at
Highest Risk of Experiencing Panic Attacks |
 |
|
bookstore
Research has shown that children whose parents have a history of
panic attacks are at greatest risk of experiencing panic
attacks. The goal of the study was to determine if there was a
link between parent-reported symptoms and the development of
panic attacks in their children.
Methods
Scientists examined the responses of 770 parents and their
children in a school based study on adolescent panic.
Researchers hoped to ascertain the risk factors associated with
adolescent panic.
Parents were interviewed three times. The interviews, which
measured parent-reported symptoms of panic attack, were
administered to 770 parents of participating adolescents. In
addition the responses of parents were assessed for symptoms of
negative affect, separation anxiety disorder, childhood chronic
illness, and childhood loss in their youngsters. Finally parents
were interviewed to assess whether they had symptoms of panic
disorder or agoraphobia, parental major depression, and parental
chronic illness.
Results
Findings of the study indicated three subgroups of subjects who
were at greatest risk of experiencing panic attacks. Fifty-eight
percent of adolescents with panic attacks belonged to one of
these high-risk groups. Adolescents whose parents tested
positive for panic disorder or agoraphobia had the greatest risk
of experiencing panic attacks--(24%). Adolescents whose parents
did not test positive for panic disorder or agoraphobia had a
14% chance of experiencing a panic attack. Children who
experienced separation anxiety disorder had a 20% chance of a
panic attack occurring.
Researchers concluded that the use of parent-reported data
provides cross-validation for previously identified risk factors
of adolescent panic attacks.
Complete findings of the study appear in the Journal of the
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; 5/1/2004;
Author: Taylor, C. Barr
Rollins School of Public Health, BSHE, 1518 Clifton Rd, NE, Room
548, Atlanta, GA 30322. E-mail:gwingoo@sph. emory.edu
Related in Our Shop
|
|
|
|