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Tunnell NC, Corner SE, Roque AD, Kroll JL, Ritz T, Meuret AE. Biobehavioral approach to distinguishing panic symptoms from medical illness. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1296569. [PMID: 38779550 PMCID: PMC11109415 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1296569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Panic disorder is a common psychiatric diagnosis characterized by acute, distressing somatic symptoms that mimic medically-relevant symptoms. As a result, individuals with panic disorder overutilize personal and healthcare resources in an attempt to diagnose and treat physical symptoms that are often medically benign. A biobehavioral perspective on these symptoms is needed that integrates psychological and medical knowledge to avoid costly treatments and prolonged suffering. This narrative review examines six common somatic symptoms of panic attacks (non-cardiac chest pain, palpitations, dyspnea, dizziness, abdominal distress, and paresthesia), identified in the literature as the most severe, prevalent, or critical for differential diagnosis in somatic illness, including long COVID. We review somatic illnesses that are commonly comorbid or produce panic-like symptoms, their relevant risk factors, characteristics that assist in distinguishing them from panic, and treatment approaches that are typical for these conditions. Additionally, this review discusses key factors, including cultural considerations, to assist healthcare professionals in differentiating benign from medically relevant symptoms in panic sufferers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie C. Tunnell
- Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, United States
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Sarah E. Corner
- Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Andres D. Roque
- Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, United States
- Primary Care Department, Miami VA Healthcare System, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Juliet L. Kroll
- Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, United States
- Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Thomas Ritz
- Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Alicia E. Meuret
- Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, United States
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Brewer R, Murphy J, Bird G. Atypical interoception as a common risk factor for psychopathology: A review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 130:470-508. [PMID: 34358578 PMCID: PMC8522807 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.07.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The inadequacy of a categorial approach to mental health diagnosis is now well-recognised, with many authors, diagnostic manuals and funding bodies advocating a dimensional, trans-diagnostic approach to mental health research. Variance in interoception, the ability to perceive one's internal bodily state, is reported across diagnostic boundaries, and is associated with atypical functioning across symptom categories. Drawing on behavioural and neuroscientific evidence, we outline current research on the contribution of interoception to numerous cognitive and affective abilities (in both typical and clinical populations), and describe the interoceptive atypicalities seen in a range of psychiatric conditions. We discuss the role that interoception may play in the development and maintenance of psychopathology, as well as the ways in which interoception may differ across clinical presentations. A number of important areas for further research on the role of interoception in psychopathology are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Brewer
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Murphy
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, United Kingdom.
| | - Geoffrey Bird
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
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Schulz A, Schultchen D, Vögele C. Interoception, Stress, and Physical Symptoms in Stress-Associated Diseases. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1027/2512-8442/a000063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. The brain and peripheral bodily organs continuously exchange information. Exemplary, interoception refers to the processing and perception of ascending information from the body to the brain. Stress responses involve a neurobehavioral cascade, which includes the activation of peripheral organs via neural and endocrine pathways and can thus be seen as an example for descending information on the brain-body axis. Hence, the interaction of interoception and stress represents bi-directional communication on the brain-body axis. The main hypothesis underlying this review is that the dysregulation of brain-body communication represents an important mechanism for the generation of physical symptoms in stress-related disorders. The aims of this review are, therefore, (1) to summarize current knowledge on acute stress effects on different stages of interoceptive signal processing, (2) to discuss possible patterns of abnormal brain-body communication (i.e., alterations in interoception and physiological stress axes activation) in mental disorders and chronic physical conditions, and (3) to consider possible approaches to modify interoception. Due to the regulatory feedback loops underlying brain-body communication, the modification of interoceptive processes (ascending signals) may, in turn, affect physiological stress axes activity (descending signals), and, ultimately, also physical symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Schulz
- Research Group Self-Regulation and Health, Institute for Health and Behaviour, Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Dana Schultchen
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Ulm University, Germany
| | - Claus Vögele
- Research Group Self-Regulation and Health, Institute for Health and Behaviour, Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
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Schulz A, Stammet P, Dierolf AM, Vögele C, Beyenburg S, Werer C, Devaux Y. Late heartbeat-evoked potentials are associated with survival after cardiac arrest. Resuscitation 2018; 126:7-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2018.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Tegethoff M, Stalujanis E, Belardi A, Meinlschmidt G. Chronology of Onset of Mental Disorders and Physical Diseases in Mental-Physical Comorbidity - A National Representative Survey of Adolescents. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165196. [PMID: 27768751 PMCID: PMC5074457 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 10/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The objective was to estimate temporal associations between mental disorders and physical diseases in adolescents with mental-physical comorbidities. Methods This article bases upon weighted data (N = 6483) from the National Comorbidity Survey Adolescent Supplement (participant age: 13–18 years), a nationally representative United States cohort. Onset of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition lifetime mental disorders was assessed with the fully structured World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview, complemented by parent report. Onset of lifetime medical conditions and doctor-diagnosed diseases was assessed by self-report. Results The most substantial temporal associations with onset of mental disorders preceding onset of physical diseases included those between affective disorders and arthritis (hazard ratio (HR) = 3.36, 95%-confidence interval (CI) = 1.95 to 5.77) and diseases of the digestive system (HR = 3.39, CI = 2.30 to 5.00), between anxiety disorders and skin diseases (HR = 1.53, CI = 1.21 to 1.94), and between substance use disorders and seasonal allergies (HR = 0.33, CI = 0.17 to 0.63). The most substantial temporal associations with physical diseases preceding mental disorders included those between heart diseases and anxiety disorders (HR = 1.89, CI = 1.41 to 2.52), epilepsy and eating disorders (HR = 6.27, CI = 1.58 to 24.96), and heart diseases and any mental disorder (HR = 1.39, CI = 1.11 to 1.74). Conclusions Findings suggest that mental disorders are antecedent risk factors of certain physical diseases in early life, but also vice versa. Our results expand the relevance of mental disorders beyond mental to physical health care, and vice versa, supporting the concept of a more integrated mental-physical health care approach, and open new starting points for early disease prevention and better treatments, with relevance for various medical disciplines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Tegethoff
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Esther Stalujanis
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Angelo Belardi
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gunther Meinlschmidt
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Disease knowledge, perceived risk, and health behavior engagement among adolescents and adults with congenital heart disease. Heart Lung 2014; 44:39-44. [PMID: 25278420 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2014.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Revised: 08/27/2014] [Accepted: 08/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Survivors of congenital heart disease (CHD) are at risk for life-threatening complications as they age. This study aimed to examine the association of knowledge of future health risks, perceived risk, and health behaviors among adolescents and adults with CHD. METHODS CHD survivors (N = 200, ages 15-39; 23% simple, 44% moderate, 33% complex lesions) completed measures of risk knowledge accuracy and perceived risk for developing complications, and reported physical activity and saturated fat intake. RESULTS CHD survivors reported poor risk knowledge and consuming high-fat diets. Adolescents reported more physical activity than young adults. Greater risk knowledge was associated with lower fat intake, and participants who exercised more expected fewer future complications, and this difference remained statistically significant when accounting for education and age. CONCLUSIONS CHD survivors, regardless of age, have poor risk knowledge and diets. Survivors may benefit from emphasis on future health risks and health behaviors from both pediatric and adult providers.
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Anxiety, depressive and somatic symptoms in adults with congenital heart disease. J Psychosom Res 2013; 74:49-56. [PMID: 23272988 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2012.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2012] [Revised: 10/15/2012] [Accepted: 10/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite the improvement in life-expectancy of adults with congenital heart disease, they may experience unique medical and social challenges that could impact on their psychological functioning. The aims of this study were to address the experience of anxiety, depressive and somatic symptoms among adults with congenital heart disease in comparison with that of non-heart diseased persons considering the role of various factors (e.g. socio-economic). METHODS In cross-sectional case-control study, the participants consisted of 347 patients with congenital heart disease (18-64 years, 52.2% female) and 353 matched (by sex/age) non-heart diseased persons. The participants completed a questionnaire. The data were analyzed with bivariate and multivariate methods. RESULTS In bivariate analyses, scores in anxiety and somatic symptoms were higher among patients than the healthy controls (both at p≤0.001), whereas the groups did not differ in depressive symptoms. Following multiple-linear-regression-analyses, only the association between congenital heart disease and somatic symptoms was confirmed. Among the patients, perceived financial strain was significantly related to anxiety, depressive and somatic symptoms; lower perceived social support to anxiety and depression; and low annual income to somatic symptoms. Additionally, somatic symptoms were associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms, and vice versa. And no medical variables were related to anxiety, depressive and somatic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Congenital heart disease was only independently associated with somatic symptoms. Financial strain, social support and co-existence of emotional distress with somatic symptoms should be considered in developing appropriate interventions to improve the well-being of patients with congenital heart disease. However, longitudinal research is warranted to clarify causality.
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Parental Overprotection and Heart-Focused Anxiety in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease. Int J Behav Med 2010; 18:260-7. [DOI: 10.1007/s12529-010-9112-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Callus E, Quadri E, Chessa M. Elements of psychocardiology in the psychosocial handling of adults with congenital heart disease. Front Psychol 2010; 1:34. [PMID: 21833204 PMCID: PMC3153753 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2010.00034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2010] [Accepted: 06/30/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
When it comes to the role of the clinical psychology in the cardiac settings, or psychocardiology, there is often a focus on acquired cardiac illnesses in the rehabilitation settings. However, the increase of adults with congenital heart disease due to technological advances in cardiology and cardiac surgery have created a new emergency. It is thus necessary to reflect upon the elements of psychocardiology adapting them to this new population, also when it comes to interventional hospital settings of cardiology and cardiac surgery. This perspective article is an effort in this direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Callus
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Adult with Congenital Heart Defect, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato San Donato Milanese, Italy
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Karsdorp PA, Kindt M, Rietveld S, Everaerd W, Mulder BJM. False heart rate feedback and the perception of heart symptoms in patients with congenital heart disease and anxiety. Int J Behav Med 2009; 16:81-8. [PMID: 19125336 PMCID: PMC2691549 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-008-9001-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/05/2008] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Little is known about the mechanisms explaining an increased perception of heart symptoms in congenital heart disease (ConHD). In the present study, it was suggested that a combination of high trait anxiety and disease history increases the perception of heart symptoms. Purpose It was tested whether false heart cues will result in an increased perception of heart symptoms in patients with ConHD and anxiety. Method Thirty-six patients with ConHD and 44 healthy controls performed two exercise tasks. During one of the exercise tasks, participants were exposed to a false heart cue consisting of false heart rate feedback (regular or irregular). Perceived heart symptoms were assessed and heart rate, arterial partial pressure of CO2, and respirator rate were monitored continuously. Results In line with the predictions, false heart rate feedback resulted in an increased perception of heart symptoms in high trait anxious patients with ConHD that could not be explained by acute heart dysfunction. However, unexpectedly, this effect was not observed immediately after the false heart rate feedback task but after a second exercise task without false feedback. Conclusion The results suggest that not the sole presence of ConHD but ConHD in combination with high trait anxiety results in a vulnerability to overperceive heart symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra A Karsdorp
- Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Karsdorp PA, Kindt M, Everaerd W, Mulder BJM. Preattentive processing of heart cues and the perception of heart symptoms in congenital heart disease. Behav Res Ther 2007; 45:1893-902. [PMID: 17524354 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2007.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2006] [Revised: 02/13/2007] [Accepted: 02/27/2007] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The present study was aimed at clarifying whether preattentive processing of heart cues results in biased perception of heart sensations in patients with congenital heart disease (ConHD) who are also highly trait anxious. Twenty-six patients with ConHD and 22 healthy participants categorized heart-related (heart rate) or neutral sensations (constant vibration) as either heart or neutral. Both sensations were evoked using a bass speaker that was attached on the chest of the participant. Before each physical sensation, a subliminal heart-related or neutral prime was presented. Biased perception of heart-sensations would become evident by a delayed categorization of the heart-related sensations. In line with the prediction, a combination of high trait anxiety and ConHD resulted in slower responses after a heart-related sensation that was preceded by a subliminal heart cue. Preattentive processing of harmless heart cues may easily elicit overperception of heart symptoms in highly trait anxious patients with ConHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra A Karsdorp
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Roetersstraat 15, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Abstract
In addition to monitoring and treating the cardiac disease, patients benefit from health professionals recognizing and managing the potential psychosocial consequences of growing up with congenital heart disease. Working groups from Europe and North America have emphasized the benefit of inclusion of specialized mental health care for adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients. This article reviews the evidence that ACHD patients have special and unique psychosocial needs and outlines ways in which psychologists can be integrated into multidisciplinary ACHD care teams. There are three professional domains in which clinical health psychologists can contribute to an ACHD team: provision of clinical services, multidisciplinary research, and professional education. Considerations for incorporating psychology into ACHD teams are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne H Kovacs
- Cardiac Psychology, Division of Cardiology, University Health Network, 399 Bathurst Street, 1-West-414, Toronto, ON M5T 2N2, Canada.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Many theories of emotion have postulated a close relationship of the feedback of physiological changes and their perception with emotional experience. This paper reviews recent advances in theory and brain-imaging research on this topic of interoception and describes a hypothetical model of the potential mechanisms. RECENT FINDINGS Research from patients with spinal-cord injuries and pure autonomic failure suggests that emotion-related peripheral autonomic changes are not necessary for emotional experience. However, in support of a role for centrally integrated feedback from the whole body, imaging studies found that activations in areas commonly associated with interoception and emotion (anterior insula and anterior cingulate) were correlated with individual differences in interoception (heartbeat detection) and trait measures of emotion. Because recent theory distinguishes between two levels of emotional experience (phenomenology and awareness), this paper proposes a hypothetical model of the effects of interoception on phenomenology and awareness. This model classifies interoception into the central representation of feedback from the whole body, the perception of actual physiological changes as well as the perception of illusory changes. SUMMARY Consistent with recent theories of emotion, evidence from brain imaging supports the notion that centrally integrated feedback from the whole body plays a role in emotional experience. Because research on neural correlates of emotional experience is at an early stage, the hypothesized model of potential causal links between interoception and emotional experience might serve as a helpful guide to future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Wiens
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, and Psychology Section, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
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