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Panic patients in the non-panic state: physiological and cognitive dysfunction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

L Dratcu  and
A Bond
L Dratcu
Affiliation:
Guy's Hospital, United Medical und Dentol Schools, York Clinic, 47 Weston Srreer, LondonSE1 3RR
A Bond
Affiliation:
Section of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London, United Kingdom
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Summary

Panic attacks and the antipanic effect of antidepressants are claimed to distinguish panic disorder (PD) from generalised anxiety disorder. However, most studies showing neurochemical disturbances in PD overlook the non-panic state. We compared panic patients in the non-panic state with controls on biochemical, psychological and physiological measures. There were no differences on the neuroendocrine tests. Self-ratings of bodily and psychological symptoms of anxiety were significantly higher in patients and they scored worse on word recall. Patients had significantly more skin conductance fluctuations and slow wave activity in the electroencephalogram, a sign of hyperventilation which may have implications for brain activity. Discrepancies between patients' self-ratings and objective measures of pulse rate and psychomotor performance indicated that panic patients have distorted perceptions of both physical and mental functioning. Hyperventilation and cognitive distortions in the non-panic state may facilitate panic attacks and are part of the pathophysiology of PD.

Keywords

panic disordercognitive distortionhyperventilationelectroencephalogramanxiety disorders
Type
Original article
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 13 , Issue 1 , 1998 , pp. 18 - 25
Copyright
Copyright © Elsevier, Paris 1998

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