The efficacy of cold facial immersion and the diving response in treating panic disorder

The diving response is an innate human adaptation which when elicited through cold facial immersion and apnea, produces a reduced heart rate. Panic Disorder is a common anxiety disorder characterised by spontaneous and recurrent panic attacks. Hence this research aimed to investigate the application of the diving response and cold facial immersion in reducing panic and anxiety symptoms in individuals who suffer from panic disorder. This novel research investigation demonstrated that the diving response can reduce physiological and cognitive symptoms of anxiety/panic and that it is an easy to use and practical application that individuals that suffer from Panic Disorder can benefit from.