[Diagnosis and treatment of panic disorder]

Panic disorder is defined as, recurrent, unexpected panic attacks. Panic attack means a period of intensive fear or discomfort, accompanied by a range of physical or psychological symptoms. Subsequently, anticipatory anxiety and avoidance behavior often develop. Panic disorder may or may not be accompanied by agoraphobia. Panic disorder can be treated both by psychotherapeutic and pharmacological measures. An ideal approach is combination therapy in the sense of a multimodal concept; with regard to cognitive behavioral therapy in particular, its effectiveness in the treatment of panic disorder is well documented. For pharmacotherapy, antidepressive agents, in particular selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are the drugs of first choice. Benzodiazepines should be given for only a few weeks until the antipanic effect of the antidepressants kicks in. With appropriate treatment, the prognosis is favorable.