Blood, breath, and fears: A hyperventilation theory of panic attacks and agoraphobia
1985; Elsevier BV; Volume: 5; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/0272-7358(85)90008-x
ISSN1873-7811
Autores Tópico(s)Mental Health and Psychiatry
ResumoThis paper offers a theoretical explanation of panic attacks and agoraphobia. The theory is based in part on the observation that dyspnea and heart palpitations, the chief somatic complaints reported by agoraphobes with a history of panic attacks, are the cause of the panic fear suffered by the agoraphobes, not the effect. The primary assumption of the theory is that the unexpected somatic events (dyspnea and palpitations) are the consequence of a rise in blood alkalosu produced by hyperventilation (ventilation in excess of metabolic needs). The implications of the theory for treatment are discussed briefly.
Referência(s)