Does coping predict CO2-induced panic in patients with panic disorder?

Behav Res Ther. 2005 Oct;43(10):1311-9. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2004.09.007. Epub 2004 Dec 15.

Abstract

Patients with panic disorder (PD) show maladaptive coping but the role of coping in the pathogenesis of panic is unclear. This study examined general coping and panic-specific coping as predictors of fear responding to CO2 inhalation. Subjective and physiological responses including panic attacks were assessed in 45 patients with PD and 45 matched nonclinical controls. Measures of coping were the primary predictors used in the analyses. Consistent with other reports, patients with PD reported increased emotion-focused coping and there was an association between emotion-focused coping and subjective reactivity. However, only panic-specific coping predicted panic attacks in response to the CO2 challenge.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Avoidance Learning
  • Blood Pressure / physiology
  • Carbon Dioxide / administration & dosage*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Emotions
  • Fear / psychology
  • Female
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Panic Disorder / physiopathology
  • Panic Disorder / psychology*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Self-Assessment
  • Vital Capacity / physiology

Substances

  • Carbon Dioxide