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Respiratory Control in the Treatment of Panic Attacks:

Replication and Extension with Concurrent Measurement of Behaviour and pCO2

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Paul M. Salkovskis*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX
David R. O. Jones
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Psychology, Torbay Health Authority, Belmont Court, Newton Road, Torquay
David M. Clark
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford. Wolfson College, Oxford
*
Correspondence

Abstract

A case series is reported in which nine patients who experienced phobic and/or non-phobic panic attacks were given a cognitive-behavioural treatment based on the supposition that catastrophic interpretations of sensations produced by hyperventilation played an important role in their attacks. Large and rapid reductions in panic attack frequency and questionnaire report of fear were observed. Patients' resting pCO2 was significantly lower than controls and rose to normal levels during treatment.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © 1986 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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