MISINTERPRETATION OF AMBIGUOUS STIMULI IN PANIC DISORDER

This study investigated whether cognitive misinterpretation of ambiguo us interoceptive stimuli is a process specific to panic disorder or wh ether it is found in other anxiety disorders. It also investigated the relationship of this cognitive bias to anxiety sensitivity. Results s howed it to be stronger in panic disorder than in social phobia but on ly when the relevant cognitive schema were specifically activated This cognitive bias therefore also existed in social phobia, albeit to a l esser degree. Evidence of a strong relationship between misinterpretat ion of ambiguous interoceptive stimuli and anxiety sensitivity was lac king. The results were interpretated as supporting the view that atten tional bias toward ambiguous somatic cues is specifically related to a ctivation of relevant cognitive schema, which are particularly extensi ve in panic disorder.