The nature of panic disorder

Panic disorder (PD) with and without agoraphobia, is a chronic and debilitating condition that affects 1.5% of the U.S. population. Although estimates suggest that approximately 50% of individuals with PD also develop agoraphobia, the prevalence of agoraphobia is present in the majority of individuals seeking treatment. Once organic causes are ruled out, PD must be also differentiated from other DSM-IV disorders that have panic attacks as an associated feature. Research suggests that two thirds of individuals with PD have at least one comorbid disorder. Suicide risk must also be assessed because data demonstrate that PD alone may be a risk factor for suicide attempts. A summary of the major theories of PD and the empirical findings that attempt to validate these models is provided. (C) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.