Depersonalization disorder: disconnection of cognitive evaluation from autonomic responses to emotional stimuli.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Patients with depersonalization disorder (DPD) typically complain about emotional detachment. Previous studies found reduced autonomic responsiveness to emotional stimuli for DPD patients as compared to patients with anxiety disorders. We aimed to investigate autonomic responsiveness to emotional auditory stimuli of DPD patients as compared to patient controls. Furthermore, we examined the modulatory effect of mindful breathing on these responses as well as on depersonalization intensity.

Methods

22 DPD patients and 15 patient controls balanced for severity of depression and anxiety, age, sex and education, were compared regarding 1) electrodermal and heart rate data during a resting period, and 2) autonomic responses and cognitive appraisal of standardized acoust

SUBMITTER: Michal M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3772934 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature