How to Identify Panic Disorder Many people experience occasional panic attacks, and if you have had one or two such attacks, there probably isn't any reason to worry. The key symptom of panic disorder is the persistent fear of having future panic attacks. Since panic disorder can mimic a variety of medical conditions, such as heart problems and digestive complaints, you should also seek a full medical evaluation. Effective Treatments for Panic Disorder Treatment for panic disorder can consist of taking a medication to adjust the chemicals in your body - just as you might take medicine to correct a thyroid imbalance. Or treatment might involve working with a therapist to gain more control over your anxieties - just as some people work with a specialist to learn techniques to control migraine headaches or lower their blood pressure.
Research shows that both kinds of treatment can be very effective.
For many patients, the combination of medication and psychotherapy appears to be more effective than either treatment alone. Early treatment can keep panic disorder from progressing.