title: [Panic attacks and cardiac phobia].
abstract: In this study 36 patients with cardiac phobia were examined prior to hospitalisation and 29 of them were re-examined after 2.5 years. An analysis of the clinical pictures showed that all of the patients met the DSM III criteria for panic disorder. The follow-up results indicated that the anxiety attacks often recurred despite treatment; on the other hand, the patients felt significantly less threatened by the symptoms and consequently showed less help-seeking behaviour. The attack symptomatology was characterized by a uniform picture and thus played, at best, a limited role in predicting the course of the illness. According to DSM III cardiac phobia is listed under the somatoform disorders as hypochondriasis; this seems to be an unfortunate decision and ought to be revised.
authors: Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik, Wien.
authors: D O
authors: DO
authors: Nutzinger
authors: H G
authors: HG
authors: Zapotoczky
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Cayiroglu
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Gatterer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008370:Manuals as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009449:Neurocirculatory Asthenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D010200:Panic; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D011379:Prognosis; D012017:Referral and Consultation
vernacular_title: Panikattacken und Herzphobie.