title: [Panic disorders: differential diagnosis and care in emergencies].
abstract: Despite the high prevalence of panic disorders in patients in primary-care settings, this condition is frequently under-recognised and under-treated. After the description of DSM-IV diagnosis criteria of panic disorders, this paper underline the importance of an adequate somatic and psychiatric differential diagnosis. Even if cognitive-behavioural therapy is the best studied psychotherapeutical approach, several efficacious psychodynamic psychotherapies were also described. High-potency benzodiazepines provide a rapid efficacy with beneficial effects during the first days of treatment. However, benzodiazepines should be avoided in the long term, because of the development of tolerance and dependence. Antidepressants (SSRI, venlafaxine) are effective in preventing panic attacks, especially in improving anticipatory anxiety and avoidance behaviour.
authors.affiliation: Service de psychiatrie de laison et d'intervention de crise, HUG, Genève.
authors.forename: Cristian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Damsa
authors.forename: Coralie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lazignac
authors.forename: Ruxandra
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Iancu
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Niquille
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mihai
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Virgillito
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Adam
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy