While roughly 10% of the population will experience an anxiety-related disorder at some time in their lives, perhaps as many as 5% of adults will experience panic disorder. Three million American adults - at least one in 63 - have or will have panic disorder. Most of them will develop it in their late teens or early to mid twenties.
Panic disorder is a chronic, relapsing, often debilitating condition that can have devastating effects on a person's work, family, and social interactions. Because its symptoms often mimic a variety of medical conditions, panic disorder frequently goes undiagnosed. It is not uncommon for people with panic disorder to see as many as 10 different doctors, undergo many unnecessary tests, and suffer for years before obtaining a correct diagnosis.
The good news is that, once diagnosed, panic disorder is highly treatable. While there are no guarantees, and success rates vary with the circumstances, appropriate treatment can reduce or completely prevent panic attacks in 70 to 90 percent of patients--particularly when panic disorder is recognized early. Even if patients relapse, recurrent attacks can be treated effectively. A standard course of pharmacotherapy and/or psychotherapy can benefit the majority of patients with an anxiety disorder. It is unfortunate that only one in three people with panic disorder currently receive appropriate treatment.
Panic disorder patients can be treated by mental health professionals or by primary health care providers. If you wish to refer your patients to a mental health professional, it is vital that this person have adequate training and experience in treating people with panic disorder.
