Method and apparatus for treating hyperarousal disorders

An apparatus comprising:

• a transducer to sense a voluntary respiration manoeuvre by a patient;
• a pressure generator configured to deliver a flow of air at a controllable treatment pressure above atmospheric to an airway of the patient via a patient interface over an air circuit;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• control the treatment pressure of the flow of air so as to apply paced breathing to the airway of the patient, wherein a therapy parameter determination algorithm determines therapy parameters comprising a plurality of interim breathing rate targets for a therapy control algorithm that controls the pressure generator to generate a pressure support ventilation therapy with the paced breathing according to the plurality of interim breathing rate targets;
• providing of biofeedback to the patient, wherein the biofeedback is controlled by the therapy control algorithm so that the biofeedback is matched to a paced breathing interim breathing rate target, the paced breathing interim breathing rate target being one of the plurality of interim breathing rate targets from the therapy parameter determination algorithm, such that the biofeedback changes as the paced breathing interim breathing rate target changes according to breathing rates of the patient;
• generate a confirmation signal when the patient's breathing rate slows to an optimal breathing rate target, wherein the confirmation signal controls the pressure generator to provide a transient modification to a treatment pressure;
• and
• terminate the biofeedback in response to the sensing of the voluntary respiration manoeuvre by the patient.