Panic and Agoraphobia Questionnaire: Characteristics of nonclinical panic attacks

Abstract

This study investigate the prevalence and phenomenology of nonclinical panic attacks by means of the Cuestionario de Pánico y Agorafobia (CPA) [Panic and Agoraphobia Questionnaire], a new self-report measure designed to assess and diagnose panic and agoraphobia. The CPA was administered to a sample of 537 college students, ranging in age from 20 to 61 years. A second sample of 37 anxiety disordered group also completed the questionnaire. Of the nonclinical sample, 3,5% were diagnosed as having a panic disorder and 16,6% reported one or more panic attacks in the past-year. The most commonly reported symptoms associated with the panic attacks were heart pounding, sweating, dyspnea, hot flashes/chills, dizziness/faintness and nausea. Factor analysis of panic symptoms revealed three significant factors: respiratory, autonomic and cognitive symptoms. The CPA is shown to have sound psychometric properties.