Evidence supporting the conditioning theory of panic disorder comes from the observed link between asthma and panic disorder. Research indicates that individuals with asthma have a prevalence of panic disorder that is nearly three times higher than in the general population without asthma.

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This theory posits that panic attacks can be learned responses acquired through classical conditioning. It suggests that subtle bodily sensations, which resemble those experienced during an initial frightening event, can become conditioned stimuli that subsequently trigger a panic attack as a conditioned response.

Conditioning Theory of Panic Disorder

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

A practical illustration of the conditioning theory involves a child with asthma. The initial fear and anxiety are unconditioned responses to the distressing physical sensations of an asthma attack, such as shortness of breath. Later, if the child experiences similar but milder sensations, like breathlessness after climbing stairs, these can act as a conditioned stimulus, triggering a full-blown panic attack as a conditioned response.

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