The British Journal of Psychiatry 144: 503-507 (1984)
© 1984 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Panic symptoms after inhalation of carbon dioxide
MA Van den Hout and E Griez
The effects of inhaling a mixture of 35 per cent carbon dioxide and 65 per
cent oxygen on the occurrence of panic symptoms defined by the DSM III, was
investigated. Compared to a placebo (air), carbon dioxide produced more
panic symptoms. If carbon dioxide inhalation was preceded by intake of a
beta-blocker (60 mg propranolol), less symptoms occurred than if preceded
by a placebo. The results are compared with earlier reports on the effects
of lactate infusion. It is argued that panic disorders can be
conceptualized as a fear of internal (panic) sensations and that inhalation
of a mixture of carbon dioxide and oxygen may constitute an effective
exposure treatment.