Panic disorder in the medically ill.
The authors describe five patients with concurrent panic disorder and medical illness. Panic disorder either caused worsening of the medical illness or was associated with continued physiologic symptoms that mimicked the symptoms of the medical illness after the illness had improved. In both cases, panic disorder was associated with high rates of medical utilization, increased patient suffering, and often costly medical tests. Accurate diagnosis and treatment decreased physiologic and psychiatric symptoms as well as medical utilization.
Katon
W
W
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle 98195.
Roy-Byrne
P P
PP
D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004194:Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D010200:Panic; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications