PANIC DISORDER - DIAGNOSIS, EPIDEMIOLOGY, AND CLINICAL COURSE

Panic disorder occurs frequently and presents in a wide variety of med ical settings. It is often comorbid with mood disorders, substance abu se disorders, and other anxiety disorders. Individuals with panic diso rder have lower recovery rates than those with depression, as well as high rates of relapse, and many have a chronic course. Panic disorder is associated with numerous adverse psychological consequences, includ ing poor general medical and emotional health, increased risk of alcoh ol abuse, marital and occupational dysfunction, greater use of medicat ion, and increased emergency room use. In addition, rates of suicide a ttempts among individuals with panic disorder may be as high as 20% an d exceed the 15% rate of suicide attempts among individuals with depre ssion. This paper will examine the development of panic disorder and i ts psychological and clinical consequences.