Given the central role of panic attacks in the diagnosis of panic disorder, an adequate measure of panic attacks is essential. Panic frequency is routinely assessed either by simply asking individuals to estimate the number of panic attacks experienced during a given time in a questionnaire or assessment interview or by having them continuously self-monitor. Panic frequency obtained by such methods is unreliable and invalid or time-consuming, respectively. The purpose of this project was to investigate the reliability and validity of a Panic Attack Frequency Calendar (PAFC), modeled after a time-line follow-back (TLFB) procedure (e.g., Sobell & Sobell, 1979) that has been used for years to reliably and validly assess daily alcohol use through self-report over extended periods of time. The participants consisted of 74 adult individuals (ages 18-57) who indicated that they had experienced a panic attack within the past two weeks. Participants completed a battery of self-report questionnaires, including a retrospective frequency measure, and administered an 8-week PAFC. Participants were then randomly divided into either a self-monitoring group that recorded information in a diary about any panic attacks that they experienced over the following two weeks or a non-self-monitoring control group. All participants were administered another retrospective frequency questionnaire and a 10-week PAFC two weeks after the administration of the first PAFC. Reliability was determined from the two-week stability estimates across the PAFCs for the eight-week period that overlapped both assessments. This was done with several composite panic behavior variables; daily and weekly test-retest reliabilities were also calculated. Concurrent validity was established by comparing panic frequency from the PAFC with that obtained from the diary and the retrospective frequency measure. Further validity was established via correlating the PAFC with the self-report questionnaires. Results are discussed in light of their implications for the assessment of panic attacks. / Master of Science

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Toronto, 2004. / Adviser: Robert MacKay.

Thesis (PhD) - Swinburne University of Technology, Brain Sciences Institute, 2006. / A thesis for Doctorate of Philosophy, Brain Sciences Institute, Swinburne University of Technology - 2006. Typescript. Bibliography: p. 180-203.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--York University, 2007. Graduate Programme in Sociology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 262-275). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:NR29516

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2000. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains iv, 17 p. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 13-16).

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

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1.1 Background: Despite Cannabis being the most widely used recreational drug in the western world (Earlywine, 2002) little is known about its potential association with anxiety and panic pathology. 1.2 Literature Review: A systematic literature review was conducted with twenty-nine studies critically reviewed. Papers suggested contradictory and equivocal results across all research designs and anxiety disorders. Whilst a significant number of studies have observed an association between cannabis and anxiety/anxiety disorders, the nature and direction of that association is still a point of contention. 1.3 Research Report: No known British empirical research has focused on exploring relationships between cannabis and panic attacks. Also no known research has investigated the differential effects of consuming different types of cannabis on panic pathology. Inspired somewhat on established research (e.g. Zolvensky et al., 2006a) a cross-sectional study was undertaken to explore the potential relationship between cannabis and anxiety. A self-selecting opportunity sample of 306 students drawn from both of Leicester’s universities completed a battery of questionnaires concerning cannabis use, tobacco use, panic attack history, alcohol use, poly-substance use and various psychometrics. Significant levels of both cannabis use and panic attack history were reported among the sample. Survival analysis revealed cannabis users were of significant increased risk (OR 2.01) of experiencing a panic attack compared to non-users. Mann-Whitney analysis found cannabis users who use mainly high potency ‘sensimillia’ experienced significantly more lifetime panic attacks than those who used other types. Limitations are explored. 1.4 Implications: The research report concludes that cannabis use is a risk factor in experiencing panic attacks and experiencing more lifetime attacks. High potency cannabis further increases this risk. Education for substance misuse and mental health professionals is recommended along with cannabis use forming part of assessment for panic attacks/disorder. 1.5 Critical Appraisal: Reflective appraisal of the research process is presented alongside key learning points.