Volunteers sought for panic study

Do you suffer panic attacks and would like to receive treatment at no cost?

The University of Queensland's School of Psychology would like to hear from you.

Director of Clinical Psychology Programs Dr Justin Kenardy said the School was leading the way in developing new and effective ways to treat anxiety, in particular panic attacks.

'We currently need subjects for a National Health and Medical Research Council-funded study which is part of an international project to develop cost-effective treatment of panic attacks,' Dr Kenardy said.

'A panic attack is an intense feeling of fear or terror which erupts very quickly for what often seems to be no apparent reason.

'The person who has the panic attack often feels that something catastrophic is about to happen to them, such as fainting, losing control, or having a heart attack or stroke.'

'In most instances the sufferer experiences symptoms such as racing heart, sweating and shaking, shortness of breath, dizziness, and nausea. Often these are mistaken for some dire physical illness and many of those who experience panic attacks have sought help at casualty or from specialists.'

Dr Kenardy said sometimes people with panic attacks felt so concerned about the attacks that they began to avoid going to places or doing things.

People experiencing this problem, who would like treatment and at the same time contribute to the international effort to conquer this problem can contact the School's Panic Treatment Project (telephone 07 3365 7291). Treatment programs will be conducted in Brisbane.

Media: For further information, contact Dr Kenardy, telephone 07 3365 6398.