Abrams Kenneth, Zvolensky Michael J, Dorflinger Lindsey, Galatis Andrea, Blank Melissa, Eissenberg Thomas
Department of Psychology, Carleton College, Northfield, MN 55057, USA.
Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 2008 Jun;16(3):230-9. doi: 10.1037/1064-1297.16.3.230.
Individuals who smoke are more likely to experience panic attacks and develop panic disorder than those in the general population. One possible explanation is that smokers may experience a heightened fear response to somatic disturbances. To date, few laboratory studies have tested this hypothesis directly. The present study examined 24 adult heavy smokers (10 females) in 12-hr nicotine withdrawal and 24 adult nonsmokers (12 females) on subjective and physiological reactivity to a 4-min carbon dioxide rebreathing challenge. Results indicate that, despite an attenuated acceleration in respiration during the challenge, smokers experienced a significantly greater increase in self-reported panic symptoms than nonsmokers. In addition, smokers reported significantly greater trait levels of suffocation fear prior to the challenge. Findings are discussed with respect to the role of smoking in panic vulnerability.
与普通人群相比，吸烟的人更有可能经历惊恐发作并患上惊恐障碍。一种可能的解释是，吸烟者可能对躯体不适产生更强的恐惧反应。迄今为止，很少有实验室研究直接验证这一假设。本研究对24名成年重度吸烟者（10名女性）进行了12小时的尼古丁戒断，并对24名成年不吸烟者（12名女性）进行了4分钟二氧化碳复吸挑战的主观和生理反应测试。结果表明，尽管在挑战过程中呼吸加速减弱，但吸烟者自我报告的惊恐症状增加幅度明显大于不吸烟者。此外，吸烟者在挑战前报告的窒息恐惧特质水平明显更高。本文就吸烟在惊恐易感性中的作用进行了讨论。
