From adversity to resilience : the experience of living and working with panic attacks

Abstract

Panic attacks are highly prevalent in Australia and the Western world, and the burden of illness associated with this condition is considerable. However, current scholarly research on panic is limited, and does not sufficiently reflect the magnitude of the problem. This study makes a contribution to this largely unexplored area by investigating the research questions: What are the lived experiences of employees who have panic attacks, and how do these experiences impact life, in and beyond the workplace? The panic experience was explored through a hermeneutic phenomenological lens, and the methodological guidelines outlined by van Manen were used to inform the data collection and analysis. Interviews were conducted with 18 Australians who had experienced panic attacks during a period of paid employment. A thematic analysis of their narratives led to the development of the phenomenological model, consisting of three overarching themes "" "Facing Adversity: Living with Panic', "Struggling with Organisational Life: Working with Panic', and "Moving Beyond Adversity'. The study highlighted that despite the perception from others that panic attacks were a trivial and unimportant condition, people with panic experienced real suffering and disadvantage in and around the workplace. Stigma was a genuine concern for participants, and many felt that family members, health professionals, managers and work colleagues trivialised their problems with panic and, in effect, denied their sick role and illness experience. In spite of these challenges, living "well' with panic was possible. Many participants developed resilience and reported that panic attacks were the catalyst that led to positive self-change in their lives. The study has illuminated the unique challenges and support needs of employees with panic, as well as the implications for these individuals, their families, organisations and the wider community. It is proposed that greater awareness of this lived experience has the potential to increase the visibility, acceptance and treatment of people with panic.

Date of Award	2015
Original language	English