Disentangling Anxiety Sensitivity and Anxiety-induced Physiological Stress Response
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2015-11-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The proposed study aims to investigate experimentally anxiety sensitivity and physiologic
sensations associated with anxiety using a paradigm combining hydrocortisone, caffeine, and a
set of social stress challenges. Following informed consent, participants will be instructed
to ingest either 400 milligrams of caffeine (an amount of caffeine roughly equivalent to that
in two 8 oz. cups of brewed coffee from Starbucks), and 20 milligrams of hydrocortisone or
two placebo capsules via stratified, random assignment. Physiologic and self-reported
measures of stress and anxiety will be taken.