Study, 2012
Does anxiety sensitivity affect panic symptoms differently at different menstrual cycle phases?
Women with higher anxiety sensitivity had more panicked thoughts during the premenstrual phase compared to the follicular phase, and compared to women with lower anxiety sensitivity. Physical panic symptoms did not differ clearly.
What they did
55 women with no panic disorder history underwent a carbon dioxide breathing test twice: once during their premenstrual phase and once during their follicular phase. Researchers measured panic thoughts, physical panic symptoms, anxiety, and nervous system activity.
What they found
Women with higher anxiety sensitivity showed more cognitive panic symptoms (worried thoughts, fear) during the premenstrual phase compared to the follicular phase and compared to women with lower anxiety sensitivity. No clear differences were found in physical panic symptoms, anxiety ratings, or nervous system responses.
What it means for you
For women with higher anxiety sensitivity, the premenstrual phase may intensify how they interpret physical sensations as dangerous or threatening, leading to more worried thoughts. This appears to be about thinking patterns rather than actual physical panic. Anxiety treatment for these women might need to account for menstrual cycle timing.
55
women studied
26
average age in years
2
menstrual cycle phases tested
About the study
- Original title
- The role of menstrual cycle phase and anxiety sensitivity in catastrophic misinterpretation of physical symptoms during a CO(2) challenge
- Authors
- Nillni YI, Rohan KJ, Zvolensky MJ
- Journal
- Archives of women's mental health
- Year
- 2012
- Study design
- Study
- Participants
- 55
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s00737-012-0302-2
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