The relationship between cardiac anxiety and hostility in panic attack patients

Panic attack is based on the belief that bodily sensations such as palpitations or discomfort may produce harmful consequences. It also, considered to be an episode of incredibly intense fear or apprehension that is of sudden onset. The objective of present study was to investigate the relationship between heart focused anxiety and hostility in this diagnostic group. In addition it was been considered of how this connection can be used within both diagnostic and treatment issues. 145 individuals (23 male and 122 female) suffering from panic attack, at least once in their life, participated to the present study. The diagnosis of the attacks is held according to the DSM-V criteria. The measures used were: a) The Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ), B) The Hostility and Direction of Hostility Questionnaire (HDHQ) and c) A questionnaire concerning socio-demographic information. A positive correlation among fear of cardiac sensations and intropunitiveness and/or extrapunitiveness were observed in this target group. Higher levels of heart focused anxiety were connected with a hostile attitude, either against the others or against their-selves. Further research should be provide the ego-mechanisms as well as the relevant consequences of this relationship in clinical practice.