Dyspneic-fear theory explains hyperventilatory panic attacks: a reply to Carr, Lehrer and Hochron.
Carr, Lehrer and Hochron (Behaviour Research and Therapy, 30, 251-261, 1992) attempted to test Ley's (Behaviour Research and Therapy, 30, 549-554, 1989) dyspneic-fear theory and concluded that while their results confirmed predictions for a sample of asthmatics, their results did not confirm predictions for a sample of panic-disorder patients. The present paper points to a basic flaw in the Carr et al. study which renders their conclusions regarding panic disorder indeterminate. The flaw in the Carr et al. study lies in their selection of panic-disorder patients. Whereas dyspneic-fear theory provides an explanation for panic fear experienced in hyperventilatory panic attacks, Carr et al. overlooked this fact and selected Ss based on the DSM-IIIR classification, a set of criteria which does not distinguish between hyperventilatory panic attacks and other types of panic attacks (see Ley, Behaviour Research and Therapy, 30, 347-357, 1992).
Ley
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University at Albany, State University of New York 12222.
D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006985:Hyperventilation / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000523:psychology*