Overview
In recent years, panic disorder has become one of the cost researched syndromes in psychopathology. It has also been a topic of intense controversy, with sharp disagreements along disciplinary lines among biological psychiatrists, behavioral psychologists, and epidemiologists concerning its syndromal validity, epidemiology, etiology, and treatment. Filling the need for a balanced, in-depth analysis of the most current research and theory on all aspects of the syndrome, this unique volume provides a comprehensive, integrative exploration of panic disorder. Maintaining throughout that panic disorder is a psychobiological syndrome characterized by dysfunction at the cognitive as well as the physiological level, the book begins with a discussion of the phenomenology of the disorder. Extensive reviews of the epidemiology, biological aspects, and psychopharmacologic treatments are presented in subsequent chapters, followed by detailed explorations of psychological aspects, including predictability and controllability, and psychological treatments, including cognitive-behavioral techniques. A thorough discussion of the syndromal validity and etiology of the disorder is provided, and metatheoretical issues such as the cross-cultural and philosophical aspects of the disorder are also addressed. The final chapter presents conclusions about the current knowledge of panic, and looks toward future developments. An important resource for all psychologists, psychiatrists, other mental health professionals, and researchers interested in panic disorder, this book will also be a valuable text for psychiatry residents, medical students, and graduate students in clinical and counseling psychology.The book contains no figures.
Synopsis
In recent years, panic disorder has become one of the most researched syndromes in psychopathology. It has also been a topic of intense controversy, with sharp disagreements along disciplinary lines among biological psychiatrists, behavioral psychologists, and epidemiologists concerning its syndromal validity, epidemiology, etiology, and treatment. Filling the need for a balanced, in-depth analysis of the most current research and theory on all aspects of the syndrome, this unique volume provides a comprehensive, integrative exploration of panic disorder.
Maintaining throughout that panic disorder is a psychobiological syndrome characterized by dysfunction at the cognitive as well as the physiological level, the book begins with a discussion of the phenomenology of the disorder that covers:
* Origins of the panic disorder concept
* The evolution of panic disorder in DSM-III, DSM-III-R, and DSM-IV
* Qualitative distinctions between panic, anxiety, and fear
* Alternative subtyping schemes
* Variants of panic
* Direct assessment
Extensive reviews of the epidemiology, biological aspects, and psychopharmacologic treatments are presented in subsequent chapters, followed by detailed explorations of psychological aspects, including predictability and controllability, and psychological treatments, including cognitive-behavioral techniques. A thorough discussion of the syndromal validity and etiology of the disorder is provided, and metatheoretical issues such as the cross-cultural and philosophical aspects of the disorder are also addressed. The final chapter presents conclusions about the current knowledge of panic, and looks toward future developments.
An important resource for all psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health professionals, and researchers interested in panic disorder, this book will also be a valuable text for psychiatry residents, medical students, and graduate students in clinical and counseling psychology.
Jeffrey S. Ross
This book examines the epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, and current treatment of panic disorder. The purpose is to provide a balanced, critical analysis of the research and theory of panic disorder, while also filling a gap left by similar textbooks that fail to provide a single-author focus on this controversial and often misunderstood illness. The author succeeds in maintaining good scientific objectivity in his exhaustive, all-inclusive literature review of panic disorder. The intended audience appears to be widely diverse, including mental health professionals from all disciplines and all levels of experience who wish to consult a definitive, up-to-date resource on panic disorder. Indeed, the author shows himself to be a leading authority on anxiety disorders, and panic disorder in particular. The book presumes no prior knowledge of panic disorder as it methodically reviews all aspects of our current understanding of the illness. The book is composed entirely of text, which is organized into logical sections of diagnosis, epidemiology, biological research and treatment, psychological research and treatment, and controversial theoretical issues. It is very well organized and logically subdivided. The information is meticulously referenced from nearly 1,000 separate publications, and the individual subjects are thoroughly indexed. This is a useful book for any clinician or researcher who has much contact with panic disorder. There appears to be few if any aspects of the illness that are not addressed in this extensive and well-organized literature review. For the clinician with only occasional dealings with this disorder, reading the book cover to cover is probably not necessary.Nevertheless, its clear organization allows quick access to specific information, making it not only a definitive resource, but also a handy reference guide.
Editorials
From the Publisher
"This is a thoughtful, fresh, and constructively critical analysis of research and theorizing about panic disorder. Dr. McNally has an authoritative command of the literature, and his willingness to tackle controversial aspects of the subject is admirable and welcome. Panic Disorder is an excellent book that will be widely used and frequently quoted." --S. Rachman, Ph.D., University of British Columbia"An up-to-date and incisive analysis of the current state of our knowledge of panic disorder and related conditions. With admirable breadth and depth, Richard J. McNally covers the latest findings from phenomenology, nosology, and neurobiology as they pertain to the concepts of anxiety, fear, panic, and panic disorder. In this emerging field it is increasingly difficult to keep up with the literature, let alone integrate it. Dr. McNally does a particularly good job of presenting a broad-based integrative view of this all too common disorder. Every clinician and researcher interested in anxiety disorders will want to be familiar with this book." --David H. Barlow, Ph.D., Director of the Phobia and Anxiety Disorders Clinic, University at Albany, State University of New York
"This is a very thoroughly researched and up-to-date review of virtually all that has been written about panic disorder over the past several decades. The reference section alone would make the book highly useful to scholars and worth publishing. The writing style is clear and the book is interesting to read....This is an impressive body of work which promises to contribute importantly to the field." --M. Katherine Shear, M.D., Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
"A gem of a book." --Windy Dryden, Goldsmiths College, University of London
"Panic Disorder: a Critical Analysis is one of the cleverest and most thought-provoking books on psychopathology that I have ever read. It is heartily recommended to those who are interested in catching up on theory and research as well as to those who are not interested but should be." --Marcel Van Den Hout, Behavior Research Therapy
"This is a very thoughtful and well crafted book..." --Stephen R. Dager, M.D. in Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
Contemporary Psychology
"Well written....The lucidity of the presentation is augmented by concise summaries at the conclusion of each chapter that highlight key points and controversies....Useful for graduate-level teaching, as well as for providing and up-to-date integration for scientist-practitioners....Will quickly become a necessary volume in the clinical literature."--Contemporary PsychologyCognition and Emotion
"Both comprehensive and lucid, this book is an exemplary literature review, and it will serve well as a reference on the topic."--Cognition and EmotionBehaviour Research and Therapy
"Panic Disorder: a Critical Analysis is one of the cleverest and most thought-provoking books on psychopathology that I have ever read. It is heartily recommended to those who are interested in catching up on theory and research as well as to those who are not interested but should be."--Behaviour Research and TherapyFrom The Critics
Reviewer: Jeffrey S. Ross, MD(Rush University Medical Center)Description: This book examines the epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, and current treatment of panic disorder.
Purpose: The purpose is to provide a balanced, critical analysis of the research and theory of panic disorder, while also filling a gap left by similar textbooks that fail to provide a single-author focus on this controversial and often misunderstood illness. The author succeeds in maintaining good scientific objectivity in his exhaustive, all-inclusive literature review of panic disorder.
Audience: The intended audience appears to be widely diverse, including mental health professionals from all disciplines and all levels of experience who wish to consult a definitive, up-to-date resource on panic disorder. Indeed, the author shows himself to be a leading authority on anxiety disorders, and panic disorder in particular. The book presumes no prior knowledge of panic disorder as it methodically reviews all aspects of our current understanding of the illness.
Features: The book is composed entirely of text, which is organized into logical sections of diagnosis, epidemiology, biological research and treatment, psychological research and treatment, and controversial theoretical issues. It is very well organized and logically subdivided. The information is meticulously referenced from nearly 1,000 separate publications, and the individual subjects are thoroughly indexed.
Assessment: This is a useful book for any clinician or researcher who has much contact with panic disorder. There appears to be few if any aspects of the illness that are not addressed in this extensive and well-organized literature review. For the clinician with only occasional dealings with this disorder, reading the book cover to cover is probably not necessary. Nevertheless, its clear organization allows quick access to specific information, making it not only a definitive resource, but also a handy reference guide.
Jeffrey S. Ross
This book examines the epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, and current treatment of panic disorder. The purpose is to provide a balanced, critical analysis of the research and theory of panic disorder, while also filling a gap left by similar textbooks that fail to provide a single-author focus on this controversial and often misunderstood illness. The author succeeds in maintaining good scientific objectivity in his exhaustive, all-inclusive literature review of panic disorder. The intended audience appears to be widely diverse, including mental health professionals from all disciplines and all levels of experience who wish to consult a definitive, up-to-date resource on panic disorder. Indeed, the author shows himself to be a leading authority on anxiety disorders, and panic disorder in particular. The book presumes no prior knowledge of panic disorder as it methodically reviews all aspects of our current understanding of the illness. The book is composed entirely of text, which is organized into logical sections of diagnosis, epidemiology, biological research and treatment, psychological research and treatment, and controversial theoretical issues. It is very well organized and logically subdivided. The information is meticulously referenced from nearly 1,000 separate publications, and the individual subjects are thoroughly indexed. This is a useful book for any clinician or researcher who has much contact with panic disorder. There appears to be few if any aspects of the illness that are not addressed in this extensive and well-organized literature review. For the clinician with only occasional dealings with this disorder, reading the book cover to cover is probably not necessary.Nevertheless, its clear organization allows quick access to specific information, making it not only a definitive resource, but also a handy reference guide.Booknews
McNally (psychology, Harvard U.) provides a balanced, critical analysis of research and theory on panic disorder. He evaluates biological and psychological findings even-handedly, and covers scholarly work in cognate disciplines (e.g., anthropology, epidemiology, philosophy of mind) when relevant. The theme affirmed throughout is that panic disorder is a valid syndrome characterized by dysfunctions at both the biological and psychological levels of analysis. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)3 Stars from Doody