Premenstrual distress predicts panic-relevant responding to a CO2 challenge among young adult females.
The current study examined the incremental validity of self-reported premenstrual distress in predicting panic responsivity (self-reported panic symptoms and skin conductance response frequency; SCR) following inhalation of 10% CO(2)-enriched air. A community sample of young adult women (n=46) completed questionnaires assessing substance use patterns, premenstrual symptoms and distress, and anxiety sensitivity and underwent a laboratory biological challenge procedure (4-min 10% CO(2)-enriched air inhalation). As hypothesized, higher premenstrual distress scores significantly predicted greater self-reported panic symptoms following the CO(2) challenge above and beyond other theoretically relevant variables (anxiety sensitivity, cigarette use, and alcohol consumption). In predicting SCR, premenstrual distress exhibited only a trend towards statistical significance. These findings provide preliminary evidence that premenstrual symptoms may serve as a potential risk factor to experience more intense panic symptoms in response to perturbations in bodily sensations.
Nillni
Yael I
YI
Department of Psychology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA. ynillni@uvm.edu
Rohan
Kelly J
KJ
Bernstein
Amit
A
Zvolensky
Michael J
MJ
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
D002245:Carbon Dioxide