Somatic anxiety attacks and propranolol.
Patients with acute anxiety-like attacks are often evaluated for various medical conditions, and, when nothing is found, their symptoms are attributed to psychogenic causes. "beta-Adrenergic hyperactivity" should be considered in these patients. Six patients are described who, we believe, are suffering from this condition. Low rates of isoproterenol hydrochloride infusion-precipitated symptoms that mimicked their spontaneous somatic anxiety attacks. Treatment with propranolol hydrochloride produced longterm symptomatic relief.
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001794:Blood Pressure; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007545:Isoproterenol; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D011433:Propranolol; D007545:Isoproterenol