Panic disorder, is it really a mental disorder? From body functions to the homeostatic brain

Giampaolo Perna*, Giuseppe Iannone, Tatiana Torti, Daniela Caldirola

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademic

Abstract

Panic disorder (PD), is characterized by repeated PAs (i.e. abrupt surges of anxiety and fear accompanied by physical - e.g. pounding heart, sweating, trembling, etc. - and cognitive - e.g. fear of dying, fear of losing control, etc. - symptoms that usually reach their peak within 10 min), and major changes in behavior or persistent anxiety over having further attacks for at least 1 month. Since PD can be treated with psychotropic drugs and/or psychotherapy it has been commonly considered a mental disorder. However, recent evidence indicates that patients with PD exhibit subclinical anomalies in the respiratory, cardiac, and balance systems. In addition, apart from reducing panic symptoms, many antipanic pharmacotherapies (e.g. SSRIs) improve the functioning of the abovementioned systems. Therefore, some authors believe PAs may be real alarms arising from transient instability of homeostatic body functions. The idea PD is a mere psychiatric disease may be challenged by acknowledging a paramount role also to aberrant homeostatic functioning. This might pave the way to a more integrated approach of treating PD.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPanic Disorder: Neurobiological and Treatment Aspects
EditorsAntonio Egidio Nardi, Rafael Christophe R. Freire
PublisherSpringer International Publishing
Pages93-112
Number of pages20
ISBN (Electronic)9783319125381
ISBN (Print)9783319125374
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2016

Keywords

  • Balance
  • Cardiac system
  • Homeostasis
  • Panic disorder
  • Photosensitivity
  • Respiration
  • Vision

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Panic disorder, is it really a mental disorder? From body functions to the homeostatic brain'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this