austin-managingpanic-2005.pdf (210 kB)
Managing panic disorder in general practice
journal contribution
posted on 2005-01-01, 00:00 authored by David AustinDavid Austin, G Blashki, D Barton, B KleinBACKGROUND: Panic disorder (PD) is common in the community and contributes to significant distress and decreased quality of life for people who suffer from it. Most people with PD will present in the first instance to their general practitioner or hospital emergency department for assistance, often with a focus on somatic symptoms and concerns.
OBJECTIVE: This article aims to assist the GP to manage this group of patients by providing an outline of aetiology, approaches to assessment, and common management strategies.
DISCUSSION Although GPs have an important role to play in ruling out any causal organic basis for panic symptoms, the diagnosis of PD can usually be made as a positive diagnosis on the basis of careful history taking. Thorough and empathic education is a vital step in management. The prognosis for PD can be improved by lifestyle changes, specific psychological techniques, and the judicious use of pharmacotherapy.
OBJECTIVE: This article aims to assist the GP to manage this group of patients by providing an outline of aetiology, approaches to assessment, and common management strategies.
DISCUSSION Although GPs have an important role to play in ruling out any causal organic basis for panic symptoms, the diagnosis of PD can usually be made as a positive diagnosis on the basis of careful history taking. Thorough and empathic education is a vital step in management. The prognosis for PD can be improved by lifestyle changes, specific psychological techniques, and the judicious use of pharmacotherapy.
History
Journal
Australian family physicianVolume
34Issue
7Pagination
563 - 571Publisher
Royal Australian College of General PractitionersLocation
Melbourne, Vic.ISSN
0300-8495Language
engPublication classification
C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2005, Royal Australian College of General PractitionersUsage metrics
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