An integrated approach to the treatment of panic disorder

In this article I have reviewed the recent literature on the etiology, phenomenology, and treatment of panic disorder. The panic episodes, which form the core of this disorder, are probably of biologic etiology. However, over time, the psyche of the patient becomes markedly affected and a wide array of secondary reactions including phobia, depression, and dysfunctional personality traits develop, often becoming chronic. A strategy of treatment that recognizes both the complexity and distinctness of this syndrome has yet to appear in the literature. This article attempts to fill this need by presenting a multidimensional and integrated approach to treatment of panic disorder.