Panic Disorder in the Medical Setting

Most patients with panic disorder have their initial contact with the health care system in a generalmedical setting. Only 35% of patients have their first contact in a mental health care setting, and ofthese, only 22% are evaluated initially by a psychiatrist. Thus, family practitioners, cardiologists, gastroenterologists,and other specialists need to become familiar with the signs, symptoms, and differentialdiagnosis of panic disorder. Early diagnosis of panic disorder by nonpsychiatrists—before unnecessarytests are ordered—would substantially decrease the costs associated with this condition.