[Psychopharmacology of panic attacks]

A new type of anxiety state has recently been identified: the panic attack. This condition is qualitatively distinct from other anxiety disturbances and its treatment is different. Sodium lactate seems to play an essential role in the triggering of panic attacks through the intermediary of catabolic, physicochemical mechanisms or by alteration of adrenergic neurotransmission. Anxiety may be autonomised into two sub-groups, based on the effects of psychotropic drugs: phobic and anxiety states. The presence or absence of panic attacks is essential as it has diagnostic and therapeutic implications: M.A.D.I. or tricyclic antidepressors have a specific action on panic attacks but are ineffective on anticipatory, chronic, phobic or other forms of anxiety. Which are improved by benzodiazepines which; themselves, have very little effect on panic attacks.