title: Panic disorder: effective treatment options.
abstract: Panic disorder is a distressing and debilitating condition with a familial tendency; it may be associated with situational (agoraphobic) avoidance. The diagnosis of panic disorder requires recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and at least one of the following characteristics: persistent concern about having an additional attack (anticipatory anxiety); worry about the implications of an attack or its consequences (e.g., a catastrophic medical or mental consequence) and making a significant change in behavior as a consequence of the attacks. A variety of pharmacologic interventions is available, as are non-pharmacologic cognitive or cognitive-behavioral therapies that have demonstrated safety and efficacy in the treatment of panic disorder. Early detection and thoughtful selection of appropriate first-line interventions can help these patients, who often have been impaired for years, regain their confidence and ability to function in society.
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, USA.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Saeed
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Bruce
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011613:Psychotherapy; D013664:Teaching Materials