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Augmented Respiratory Relief

A New use for CO2 Therapy in the Treatment of Phobic Conditions: a Preliminary Report on Two Cases

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Arnold Orwin
Arnold Orwin*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Birmingham, and Consultant in Charge, Regional Behaviour Research Unit, Hollymoor Clinic, Hollymoor Hospital, Northfield, Birmingham, B315EX
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Extract

Respiratory relief (R.R.) appeared to be a simple and rapid treatment for specific phobias and for the phobic components of more complex neurotic conditions (Orwin, 1971). The basic hypothesis was that the R.R., satisfying an intense need to breathe, if simultaneous with the presentation of a phobic stimulus, would inhibit the degree of anxiety previously provoked and that this inhibition would persist. The need to breathe was induced by voluntary restriction up to maximum voluntary respiratory arrest (M.V.R.A.). As in conventional desensitization (Wolpe, 1958), a hierarchy was drawn up and the patients were desensitized using R.R. instead of relaxation. Carbon dioxide-oxygen mixtures were introduced because CO2 is known to stimulate respiration, and it was expected that by intensifying the need to breathe the speed and effectiveness of treatment would be increased by the augmented respiratory relief (A.R.R.).

Type
Abstract
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 122 , Issue 567 , February 1973 , pp. 171 - 173
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1973 

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