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Panic Symptoms after Inhalation of Carbondioxide

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Marcel A. van den Hout  and
Eric Griez
Marcel A. van den Hout
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Psychology, State University of Limburg, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, Netherlands
Eric Griez
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Psychiatry, State University of Limburg
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Summary

The effects of inhaling a mixture of 35 per cent carbon dioxide and 65 per cent oxygen on the occurrence of panic symptoms defined by the DSM III, was investigated. Compared to a placebo (air), carbon dioxide produced more panic symptoms. If carbon dioxide inhalation was preceded by intake of a beta-blocker (60 mg propranolol), less symptoms occurred than if preceded by a placebo. The results are compared with earlier reports on the effects of lactate infusion. It is argued that panic disorders can be conceptualized as a fear of internal (panic) sensations and that inhalation of a mixture of carbon dioxide and oxygen may constitute an effective exposure treatment.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 144 , Issue 5 , May 1984 , pp. 503 - 507
Copyright
Copyright © 1984 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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