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Anxiety disorders and the hyperventilation syndrome
Symposium
on Respiratory
79
Psychophysiologv
standard criteria. Adenosine consistently increased discharge frequency of C fibers from 0.6 f 0.1 to 2.1 to * 0.5 impulses/s. The activity of HT SARs was unaffected whereas discharge of the LT SARs increased during periods of artificial lung inflation (13 k 3 to 19 f 0.4 impulses/s; p < .05). The effect of adenosine on the RARs was less clear. These results indicate that adenosine can stimulate respiration via vagal mechanisms. Hypoxia, which releases adenosine, may stimulate respiration not only via peripheral chemoreceptors but also by adenosine effects at the pulmonary level. The stimulating effect of adenosine on vagal afferents might also explain some of the sensation of dyspnea during hypoxia and severe exercise.
3. POSTER PRESENTA TIONS
ANXIETY
DISORDERS
Bert GARSSEN,
Corine
AND THE HYPERVENTILATION de RUITER,
Department of Medical Psychology, Academic The Netherlands
and Hanneke
SYNDROME
RIJKEN
Medical Centre. I IO5 AZ Amsterdam,
There is a striking similarity between the description of panic attacks in the DSM-III and the symptom pattern of the hyperventilation syndrome (HVS). So, an overlap has been supposed between the HVS and panic disorder, as well as agoraphobia (with panic attacks). Methods aimed at changing respiratory behaviour and cognitions about bodily sensations have been successfully applied in the treatment of agoraphobic patients with panic attacks. We found a substantial overlap between the HVS and agoraphobia in an earlier study. The present study investigates the incidence of the HVS in patients diagnosed as suffering from panic disorder, agoraphobia and generalized anxiety disorder. Outpatients from a psychiatric outclinic (Academic hospital, University of Utrecht) suspected to suffer from an anxiety disorder were referred to the research project. Anxiety disorders were diagnosed using the Anxiety Disorder Interview Schedule, an agoraphobia questionnaire and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory. The hyperventilation provocation test was applied in combination with a questionnaire inquiring about somatic complaints to diagnose HVS. Findings pertaining to diagnostic overlap will be presented. Furthermore, HVS and non-HVS patients will be compared with regard to respiratory variables and questionnaire data, referring to general anxiety, fear of somatic complaints, agoraphobia and depression.
on Respiratory
79
Psychophysiologv
standard criteria. Adenosine consistently increased discharge frequency of C fibers from 0.6 f 0.1 to 2.1 to * 0.5 impulses/s. The activity of HT SARs was unaffected whereas discharge of the LT SARs increased during periods of artificial lung inflation (13 k 3 to 19 f 0.4 impulses/s; p < .05). The effect of adenosine on the RARs was less clear. These results indicate that adenosine can stimulate respiration via vagal mechanisms. Hypoxia, which releases adenosine, may stimulate respiration not only via peripheral chemoreceptors but also by adenosine effects at the pulmonary level. The stimulating effect of adenosine on vagal afferents might also explain some of the sensation of dyspnea during hypoxia and severe exercise.
3. POSTER PRESENTA TIONS
ANXIETY
DISORDERS
Bert GARSSEN,
Corine
AND THE HYPERVENTILATION de RUITER,
Department of Medical Psychology, Academic The Netherlands
and Hanneke
SYNDROME
RIJKEN
Medical Centre. I IO5 AZ Amsterdam,
There is a striking similarity between the description of panic attacks in the DSM-III and the symptom pattern of the hyperventilation syndrome (HVS). So, an overlap has been supposed between the HVS and panic disorder, as well as agoraphobia (with panic attacks). Methods aimed at changing respiratory behaviour and cognitions about bodily sensations have been successfully applied in the treatment of agoraphobic patients with panic attacks. We found a substantial overlap between the HVS and agoraphobia in an earlier study. The present study investigates the incidence of the HVS in patients diagnosed as suffering from panic disorder, agoraphobia and generalized anxiety disorder. Outpatients from a psychiatric outclinic (Academic hospital, University of Utrecht) suspected to suffer from an anxiety disorder were referred to the research project. Anxiety disorders were diagnosed using the Anxiety Disorder Interview Schedule, an agoraphobia questionnaire and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory. The hyperventilation provocation test was applied in combination with a questionnaire inquiring about somatic complaints to diagnose HVS. Findings pertaining to diagnostic overlap will be presented. Furthermore, HVS and non-HVS patients will be compared with regard to respiratory variables and questionnaire data, referring to general anxiety, fear of somatic complaints, agoraphobia and depression.