Cardiorespiratory response to physical exercise and psychological variables in panic disorder.

Objective: To investigate the possible influence of psychological variables on cardiorespiratory responses and perceived exertion of patients with Panic Disorder (PD) during a submaximal exercise test.

Method: Ten outpatients with PD and 10 matched healthy subjects walked up on a treadmill slope at a speed of 4 km/h in order to reach 65% of their maximum heart rate. Cardiorespiratory variables were continuously recorded.

Language of dyspnea in panic disorder.

Dyspnea is a key symptom in panic attacks. This study investigated different types of dyspnea induced by the 35% CO2 challenge test given to patients with panic disorder (PD). The types of dyspnea provide room for possible conjectures on neurophysiological pathways involved in the experience of breathing discomfort in PD and in the panic-respiration connection.