Department of Psychology

Biography:

Keywords: panic, anxiety, premenstrual

I came to Ryerson University as an assistant professor in 2005 from the United States, where I completed my doctoral degree at Harvard University.  I have enjoyed pursuing both teaching and research interests at Ryerson. My teaching includes courses on Abnormal Psychology. My research focuses on the anxiety disorder area, generally, with a specific emphasis on understanding the causes and correlates of unexpected panic attacks. My enthusiasm for research in this area was incited early in graduate school as I sat in a course on Anxiety Disorders taught by my graduate school adviser, Dr. Richard J. McNally, who was lecturing that day on panic disorder. Already fascinated by the idea of panic attacks--sudden paroxysms of unexpected terror--I found my interest intensely burgeoning when I heard that panic could be induced in some--but only some--participants in laboratory environments. I continue to have this interest today and envision a research trajectory in which the factors that both protect against and promote likelihood of panic attacks are further clarified. I welcome student involvement in the lab and look forward to engaging in a productive dialogue with those who find themselves also intrigued by the panic disorder area.

Selected Publications:

Want, S.C., Vickers, K., & Amos, J. (2009). The influence of television programs on appearance satisfaction: Making and mitigating social comparisons to “Friends.” Sex Roles, 60, 642-655.

King, L. A., King, D. W., Vickers, K., Davison, E. H., & Spiro, A., III. (2007). Assessing late-onset stress symptomatology among aging male combat veterans. Aging and Mental Health, 11, 175-191.

Vickers, K., & McNally, R. J. (2006). Panic disorder. In J. E. Fisher & W. T. O’Donohue (Eds.), Evidence-based psychotherapy (pp. 494-502). New York: Springer.

Vickers, K., & McNally, R. J. (2004a). Is premenstrual dysphoria a variant of panic disorder? A review. Clinical Psychology Review, 24, 933-956. 

Vickers, K., & McNally, R. J. (2004b). Panic disorder and suicide attempt in the National Comorbidity Survey. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 113, 582-591.

I hope that you will enjoy reading these and look forward to your comments and questions. Please feel free to contact me at kvickers@ryerson.ca (email) or 416-979-5000 x7727 (phone).