Out of the Blue

The study was designed to generate a more in-depth understanding of panic attacks with particular emphasis on the etiology & effective treatments currently in use. A multiple-case study approach was utilised to describe the manifestations of panic attacks and the way in which they affect the quality of life of individuals. The sample consists of five individuals (3 males and 2 females) suffering from panic attacks within an anxiety disorder. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data obtained through a semi-structured interview. The findings reveal that there is a considerable overlap in the way this debilitating condition affects individuals. Common themes that emerge suggest that biological, psychological and cognitive factors combine to make an individual susceptible to panic attacks. These findings suggest that refinement in treatment trategies are required to deal with different facets of the condition simultaneously. The study also provides evidence that there is a need for more local awareness on the subject and that panic attacks should be regarded as a serious psychological problem that is worthy of investment in further research and treatment.