The drug treatment of panic disorder

Abstract

Reviews current information about panic disorder that establishes its prevalence, heritable nature, course and complications. With this brief introduction, develops a general strategy for the management of panic disorder that entails careful diagnostic assessment, recognition of the risk of complications (i.e. major depression, phobic avoidance, substance abuse), education, supportive psychotherapy and the use of medication in the acute control of symptoms and the long term management of the vulnerability to panic attacks.