Consensus statement on panic disorder from the International Consensus Group on Depression and Anxiety.
OBJECTIVE
To provide primary care clinicians with a better understanding of management issues in panic disorder and guide clinical practice with recommendations for appropriate pharmacotherapy.


METHODS
The 4 members of the International Consensus Group on Depression and Anxiety were James C. Ballenger (chair), Jonathan R. T. Davidson, Yves Lecrubier, and David J. Nutt. Four faculty invited by the chairman also participated: David S. Baldwin, Johan A. den Boer, Siegfried Kasper, and M. Katherine Shear.


METHODS
The consensus statement is based on the 6 review papers that are published in this supplement and on the scientific literature relevant to these issues.


METHODS
There were group meetings held during a 2-day period. On day 1, the group discussed each review paper and the chairman and discussant (Dr. Kasper) identified key issues for further debate. On day 2, the group discussed these key issues to arrive at a consensus view. After the group meetings, the consensus statement was drafted by the chairman and approved by all attendees.


CONCLUSIONS
The consensus statement provides standard definitions for response and remission and identifies appropriate strategy for the management of panic disorder in a primary care setting. Serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors are recommended as drugs of first choice with a treatment period of 12 to 24 months. Pharmacotherapy should be discontinued slowly over a period of 4 to 6 months.
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425-0742, USA.
J C
JC
Ballenger
J R
JR
Davidson
Y
Y
Lecrubier
D J
DJ
Nutt
D S
DS
Baldwin
J A
JA
den Boer
S
S
Kasper
M K
MK
Shear
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors