Breathing Regulation Training for Individuals With Panic Disorder

PD is a serious condition characterized by episodes of rapid heart rate, difficulty breathing, and other symptoms of fear. Explanations for panic attacks have been proposed in two theories: suffocation alarm theory and hyperventilation theory. The suffocation alarm theory claims that panic attacks are due to a "suffocation monitor" in the brain, erroneously signaling a lack of useful air. The hyperventilation theory suggests that stressful events cause people to slightly hyperventilate; some people have panic attacks as a result of their overreaction to the dizziness and lightheadedness they feel from hyperventilation. Both theories note the role of carbon dioxide (CO2) in panic attacks; they suggest that rising CO2 levels in arterial blood act as a panic stimulus. This study will compare two types of breathing regulation techniques based on the panic attack theories to determine which is more effective in reducing panic symptoms in people with PD.

This study will last 4 weeks and will include both people with PD and those without the condition. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: raise-CO2 breathing, lower-CO2 breathing, or a control group. Participants in both the raise-CO2 and lower-CO2 breathing groups will have five sessions of training in which they will learn specific breathing techniques. Participants in the raise-CO2 group will be taught techniques to recover from hyperventilation faster; participants in the lower-CO2 group will be taught techniques to reach hyperventilation levels, then switch to breathing techniques that reduce hyperventilation symptoms. Participants in the control group will not be taught any breathing techniques but will be included in all assessments.

Participants will be assessed at study entry, during each breathing training session, and at Months 1 and 6 after the study. During each assessment, questionnaires and self-report scales will be used to measure cognitive, psychological, and physiological changes related to participants' breathing.

Inclusion criteria

for Participants With PD:

• Diagnosis of PD
• History of panic attacks that are at least moderately severe in frequency and severity
• Able and willing to comply with all study requirements

Exclusion criteria

for All Participants:

• History of chest pain, heart attack, congestive heart failure, or clinically significant irregular heartbeat
• History of blood circulation problems or cerebrovascular accidents
• Diabetes mellitus
• Asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• History of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or dementia
• Drugs which would affect breathing
• Alcohol or other substance abuse within 1 year prior to study entry
• Current use of any recreational drugs or consumption of more than 15 alcoholic drinks per week

Exclusion criteria

for Participants Without PD:

• History of anxiety disorders