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['Hyperventilation syndrome': often an easy to treat panic disorder]
I M Van Vliet1, A J L M Van Balkom, K R J Schruers
1Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum, afd. Psychiatrie, Postbus 96000, 2300 RC Leiden.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|August 5, 2004
Summary
Hyperventilation syndrome is often misdiagnosed panic disorder. Effective treatment involves cognitive behavioral therapy or SSRIs, not just breathing exercises, for panic disorder recovery.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychosomatic Medicine
Background:
- Hyperventilation syndrome is a common diagnosis for acute attacks with somatic complaints.
- The physiological explanation of hyperventilation and decreased CO2 does not fully account for symptoms in some patients.
Observation:
- Three patients (2 men, 1 woman) presented with acute attacks and diverse somatic complaints.
- Initial diagnosis was hyperventilation syndrome.
Findings:
- Patients recovered when their condition was recognized and treated as panic disorder.
- Hyperventilation alone does not explain the full spectrum of symptoms in panic disorder.
- Panic disorder is a psychiatric condition with a favorable prognosis.
Implications:
- Misdiagnosis of panic disorder as hyperventilation syndrome can delay appropriate psychiatric treatment.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy and/or selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors are effective treatments for panic disorder.
- Breathing exercises may be adjunctive but not primary treatment, as faulty breathing is not the cause of panic disorder.