Background. We previously reported that in panic disorder
a history of near-suffocation is
associated with predominantly respiratory panic attacks. It might be hypothesized
that the
near-suffocation experienced in certain kinds of torture is also associated
with the development of
predominantly respiratory panic attacks.
Methods. A sample of patients who had experienced torture (N=14)
was drawn from an Anxiety
Disorders Clinic in South Africa. Subjects were questioned about symptoms
of panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.
Results. Patients with a history of torture by suffocation
were more likely than other patients to
complain of predominantly respiratory symptoms during panic attacks. These
patients also
demonstrated higher levels of depressive symptoms.
Conclusions. While various interpretations of the data can
be made, it is possible that torture by
suffocation is associated with a specific symptomatic profile. Were such
an association to be
replicated, this would perhaps support the suffocation alarm hypothesis
of panic disorder and
provide evidence that specific environmental factors play a role in the
development of this alarm.