Breathing Regulation Training for Individuals With Panic Disorder

Reverse hyperventilation (defined by low arterial CO2) is often characteristic of individuals with panic disorder. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: raise-CO2 breathing, lower-CO2 breathing, or a control group. Participants in the raise-CO2 group will be taught techniques to recover from hyperventilation faster.

According to the false suffocation alarm theory, anxiety is experienced when an overly sensitive hypothalamic mechanism is triggered by rising pCO2. Participants in the lower-CO2 group will be taught techniques to reach hyperventilation levels, then switch to breathing techniques that reduce hyperventilation symptoms.

Participants in the control group will not be taught any breathing techniques but will be included in all assessments.