The British journal of clinical psychology / the British Psychological Society
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'Peritraumatic dissociation' refers to alterations in awareness and memory for events that occur during and shortly after a traumatic experience. Despite the prevalence of reported peritraumatic dissociation, little is known about the mechanisms that mediate dissociative responses in the initial period after trauma. One theory suggests that peritraumatic dissociation may be a response to elevated arousal and panic symptoms during trauma. This study investigated panic symptoms that occurs at the time of the trauma and their relationship to ongoing dissociation in acute stress disorder. ⋯ These findings are consistent with proposals that acute dissociation is associated with panic symptoms that occur during the traumatic experience. Possible mechanisms for the association of panic and dissociation are discussed.