Main Page | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Screening | Reducing Your Risk | Talking to Your Doctor | Living With Panic Disorder | Resource Guide
Medical care can help most people with panic disorder, but treatment success varies from person to person. Most people respond well to treatment and can return to normal functioning in weeks or months. Treatment can be complicated by having another condition at the same time, such as substance abuse , depression , or other anxiety disorders.
Psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and specially trained primary care providers are trained to treat panic disorder. If your doctor doesn't have special training, ask for the name of a doctor or counselor who does.
Treatment involves the following:
Lifestyle changes
Medications
Other treatments
Alternative and complementary therapies
There are no surgical procedures for the treatment of panic disorder.
Researchers found that people with panic disorder get the most benefit from a combination of treatment (therapy and medication). *¹
References:
Anxiety Disorders Association of America website. Available at: http://www.adaa.org/ .
National Anxiety Foundation website. Available at: http://www.lexington-on-line.com/naf.html .
*¹8/22/2006 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : Furukawa TA, Watanabe N, Churchill R. Psychotherapy plus antidepressant for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia: systematic review. Br J Psychiatry. 2006;188:305-312.
Last reviewed March 2009 by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.