--- title: Does breathing carbon dioxide trigger panic attacks in people with PMDD like it does in panic disorder? description: Yes, people with PMDD had panic attacks during CO2 breathing at similar rates to people with panic disorder. However, this was a very small study with only 10 url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/physiological-changes-during-carbon-dioxide-inhalation-in-patients-with-panic-2001/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does breathing carbon dioxide trigger panic attacks in people with PMDD like it does in panic disorder? Case-control study, 2001 # Does breathing carbon dioxide trigger panic attacks in people with PMDD like it does in panic disorder? Yes, people with PMDD had panic attacks during CO2 breathing at similar rates to people with panic disorder. However, this was a very small study with only 10 PMDD participants, so results need confirmation in larger studies. Early or limited evidence 10 people with PMDD, 52 with panic disorder, 32 healthy controls, 21 with major depression ## What they did Researchers had four groups breathe air with 5% and 7% carbon dioxide while measuring their breathing: 52 patients with panic disorder, 32 healthy people, 10 with PMDD, and 21 with depression. ## What they found More people with panic disorder and PMDD had panic attacks during carbon dioxide breathing than healthy controls or depressed patients. People who panicked had the largest increases in breathing rate and volume, regardless of diagnosis. Among panic disorder patients, those who panicked had lower baseline carbon dioxide levels before the test. ## What it means for you PMDD may trigger panic responses through similar brain mechanisms as panic disorder. The main limit is the very small PMDD sample of only 10 women, which means strong conclusions need confirmation. 10 PMDD participants 52 Panic disorder participants 5% and 7% Carbon dioxide concentrations tested ## About the study Original title Physiological changes during carbon dioxide inhalation in patients with panic disorder, major depression, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder: evidence for a central fear mechanism Authors Gorman JM, Kent J, Martinez J et al. Journal Archives of general psychiatry Year 2001 Study design Case-control study Participants 52 What was tested Breathing carbon dioxide at 5% and 7% concentrations Read the paper [doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.58.2.125](https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.58.2.125) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Non-randomised trial, 2008 Can the Sheehan Disability Scale measure whether treatments work? Study, 2026 Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition? Study, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Review, 2014 Are mental health problems linked to gynecological conditions like PMS and PMDD? Cohort study, 2012 How quickly does fluoxetine start working for PMDD symptoms? Randomised trial, 2004 Does paroxetine controlled-release help PMDD symptoms? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗