Assessing the Level of Panic Symptoms, Anxiety, and Quality of Life Among People Experiencing Panic Attacks.

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the severity of panic symptoms, anxiety levels, and quality of life (QOL) among individuals experiencing panic attacks (PAs), as well as their associations with participants' characteristics.

Method: This cross-sectional study used data gathered through an internet-based survey covering demographic characteristics, panic symptoms, anxiety levels, and QOL completed by 126 individuals aged 18 to 60 years sampled from the general population in Egypt.

Results: Data analysis showed that 26.2% and 73.8% of participants experienced severe and extreme panic symptoms, respectively. Anxiety levels varied among participants, with most reporting moderate (48.4%) to severe (38.9%) anxiety. Most participants (98%) reported poor QOL. Findings indicated a positive correlation between panic symptoms and anxiety (r = 0.905, p < 0.01), whereas QOL exhibited a negative correlation with panic symptoms (r = -0.888, p < 0.01) and anxiety (r = -0.879, p < 0.01). Regression analysis revealed that panic symptoms were significantly associated with age (B = -3.535, p = 0.005) and sex (B = -2.234, p = 0.011), whereas educational level displayed a significant correlation with QOL (B = -8.110, p = 0.032).

Conclusion: Participants experiencing PAs typically exhibited severe to extreme panic symptoms, moderate to severe levels of anxiety, and overall poor QOL. These findings highlight critical implications for the public health system and policymakers and emphasize the need for better access to mental health services and increased awareness of PAs. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(xx), xx-xx.].