The role of "interoceptive" fear conditioning in the development of panic disorder.
Behav Ther. 2012 Mar;43(1):203-15
Authors: De Cort K, Griez E, Büchler M, Schruers K
Abstract
More than 20% of the general population experience a panic attack at least once in their lives; however, only a minority goes on to develop panic disorder (PD). Conditioning mechanisms have been proposed to explain this evolution in persons who are susceptible to developing panic disorder upon a "traumatic" panic attack. According to preparedness theory, some cues are more likely to condition than others, namely, those referring to internal, bodily signals of danger. The aim of the present study was to test this theory in a differential conditioning paradigm, making use of scripts referring to diff...

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