2 Panic disorder may coexist with other disorders, most often depression and substance abuse. 3 Appropriate diagnosis and treatment of other disorders are important to successfully treating panic disorder. Treatments for Panic Disorder Treatments for panic disorder include medications, commonly the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and a type of psychotherapy known as cognitive-behavioral therapy, which teaches people how to view panic attacks differently and demonstrates ways to reduce anxiety. 4 NIMH is conducting a large-scale study to evaluate the effectiveness of combining these treatments. Appropriate treatment by an experienced professional can reduce or prevent panic attacks in 70 to 90 percent of people with panic disorder.
Most patients show significant progress after a few weeks of therapy.
Relapses may occur, but they can often be effectively treated just like the initial episode. Research Findings Heredity, other biological factors, stressful life events, and thinking in a way that exaggerates relatively normal bodily reactions are all believed to play a role in the onset of panic disorder. The exact cause or causes of panic disorder are unknown and are the subject of intense scientific investigation. Studies in animals and humans have focused on pinpointing the specific brain areas and circuits involved in anxiety and fear, which underlie anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder. 5 Fear, an emotion that evolved to deal with danger, causes an automatic, rapid protective response that occurs without the need for conscious thought.