The relationship between illness perceptions and panic in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Claire Howard1, Claire N Hallas, Jo Wray

  • 1Department of Rehabilitation & Therapies, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Trust, Harefield Hospital, Hill End Road, Harefield, Middlesex, UK. c.howard@rbht.nhs.uk

Summary

Illness perceptions, not disease severity, are key to understanding panic attacks in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Addressing patient beliefs can improve management strategies for panic in respiratory illness.

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