If Paula and other manic depressives do have set points for breathing rates at rest that are too low [during bipolar] depressive attacks, then this begs the question of whether their pH is normal during attacks of depression. And if the respiratory depression of the breathing rate also affects the negative feedback mechanism [think about a broken thermostat which responds too slowly to temperature change], then Paula will not be able to adjust her pH normally during additional breathing challenges.
No one knows how serotonin helpers [agonists] work. No one knows that people like Paula have really low breathing rates because it does not show and Paula does not know-not even when she is experiencing frank respiratory distress, she still does not recognize that her breathing is abnormal.
to be continued……
Of Sound Mind 