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Automatic negative evaluation of suffocation sensations in individuals with suffocation fear
Sabine Kroeze1, A J Willem Van der Does, Philip Spinhoven
1Department of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands. kroeze@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
Journal of Abnormal Psychology
|August 25, 2005
Summary
Individuals with high suffocation fear automatically appraise respiratory sensations negatively. This heightened fear response, particularly when primes are noticed, influences reactions to suffocation and positive words, impacting panic disorder models.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Suffocation sensations, or respiratory loads, are central to anxiety and panic.
- The cognitive model of panic disorder suggests automatic negative appraisal of bodily sensations is key.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if individuals with high suffocation fear automatically evaluate respiratory loads negatively.
- To examine the influence of suffocation fear on cognitive processing of related stimuli.
Main Methods:
- Participants with varying levels of suffocation fear were exposed to subtle respiratory loads (primes).
- Reaction times to suffocation-related and positive words were measured.
- Awareness of the respiratory load primes was assessed.
Main Results:
- High suffocation fear participants showed faster reactions to suffocation words and slower reactions to positive words after priming.
- This effect was contingent on participants noticing the respiratory load primes.
- No significant effects were observed in participants who did not notice the primes.
Conclusions:
- Automatic negative appraisal of respiratory sensations may contribute to the initiation of panic attacks.
- These findings support the role of cognitive processes in panic disorder.
- The study highlights the importance of conscious awareness of bodily sensations in fear responses.