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Easing the Burden of Panic Disorder: Comorbidity, Diagnosis, and Implications for Treatment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2014

David Baldwin*
Affiliation:
Dr. Baldwin is senior lecturer in psychiatry in the Clinical Neuroscience Division at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom
*
David Baldwin, MS, BS, DM, FRCPsych, University Department of Psychiatry, Graham Rd, Southampton, S0140YG, United Kingdom; Tel: 44-2380-825-533; E-mail: D.S.Baldwin@soton.ac.uk.

Abstract

Panic disorder (PD) is typically a distressing, chronic, and recurrent mental disorder associated with a high rate of comorbidity with other mood, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders, increased risk of medical morbidity and mortality, and marked impairment of functioning and reduced quality of life. Most patients with PD first seek treatment in emergency room or general practice settings. In the overwhelming majority of cases, PD patients present with primarily somatic symptoms, many of which are common to medical illnesses. It is, therefore, not surprising that PD is often misdiagnosed and that patients with this disorder often spend years seeking treatment and undergoing costly and unnecessary tests and medical consultations before receiving a correct diagnosis. Better diagnosis and treatment of PD to achieve remission and prevent relapse has the potential to reduce the burden of this illness to the individual and society.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

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