Panic attacks and panic disorder: the great neurologic imposters

Patients who experience panic attacks, panic disorder, or agoraphobia have significant impairment associated with their disorders. The cost to society in health care costs as well as the human suffering and mortality is high and may be even higher than necessary because of misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment of these patients. Although we do not have many answers in the areas of pathophysiology or neurochemistry of panic disorder, we do have effective treatments for panic disorder and agoraphobia. If these are conceptualized as distinct disorders with specific symptoms, making a diagnosis of panic disorder or agoraphobia is relatively easy. Making the correct diagnosis may save the patient many months or years of suffering and many inappropriate tests or treatments.