Panic Attacks and Phobias

Abstract

UNTIL recently panic disorder was viewed almost exclusively in psychological terms. It was believed that the patient was overreacting to a life stress or an "unconscious" conflict.¹ A growing body of evidence now suggests that we revise this view in favor of a medical-illness model.^{2 , 3} This model suggests that in contrast to stress-related situational anxiety, panic disorder is associated with a biochemical abnormality in the nervous system, to which there is a genetic vulnerability.^{3 4} 4a This new view has important implications for treatment and research.Natural HistoryPanic disorder usually starts with paroxysmal attacks of anxiety that strike suddenly, without warning, . . .