Emotional responding to hyperventilation as a predictor of agoraphobia status among individuals suffering from panic disorder.
Some data suggest that panic patients with extensive agoraphobia (PDA) display more intense respiratory distress during their panic attacks than Panic disorder (PD) patients. However, no studies have determined if PDA patients also show heightened sensitivity to a respiratory challenge compared to PD patients. The current study examined the differential emotional responding to hyperventilation among PDA patients, PD patients, and a non-clinical group with a history of panic attacks. Response to hyperventilation challenge did not distinguish non-clinical panickers from panic patients; however, behavioral tolerance to hyperventilation challenge significantly predicted agoraphobia status among panic disorder patients, even after controlling for demographic and clinical status variables.
Telch
Michael J
MJ
Laboratory for the Study of Anxiety Disorders, Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Mezes 330, Mail Stop B3800, Austin, TX 78712, USA. telch@forum.utexas.edu
Jacquin
Kristine
K
Smits
Jasper A J
JA
Powers
Mark B
MB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015897:Comorbidity; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006985:Hyperventilation / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors