Snapshot A 30-year-old man arrives at the ED stating in distress that he believes that he had a heart attack. He says the episode started suddenly and was associated with sweating, chest pain, palpitations, and shallow breathing. Troponins within normal limits and ECG shows sinus tachycardia with no remarkable findings. Upon further questioning, he reports that he has been having such episodes every few days. He denies recreational or illicit drug use. He further shares that he is recently divorced and has had no social support. Recent lab results have been normal, including TSH and vitamin B12. The patient is reassured that he does not have a heart attack and is discharged with recommendations to follow up with the hospital primary care clinic in 1 week. Introduction Overview panic disorder is characterized by recurrent panic attacks associated with > 1 month of subsequent persistent worry about having another panic attack or behavioral changes related to the attack Epidemiology Prevalence 2-6% of adults in the US Demographics women are 2-3 times more likely to have panic disorder most commonly develops between 18-45 years of age Risk factors asthma linked to a 4.5 ↑ in risk of developing panic disorder ETIOLOGY Pathophysiology panic disorder is a psychiatric disorder that may be caused by neurochemical dysfunction symptoms arise from sympathetic overdrive Genetics study of panic disorder in first-degree relatives revealed heredity of ~43% Associated conditions major depression and anxiety schizophrenia obsessive-compulsive disorder phobias (i.e., agoraphobia) cluster C personality disorders Presentation Symptoms 4 or more panic attacks in a 4-week period, or ≥ 1 panic attacks followed by at least 1 month of fear of another panic attack panic attack symptoms may include: intense fear of dying and discomfort sympathetic overdrive sweating palpitations abdominal distress/nausea hyperventilation paresthesias light-headedness chest pain chills choking disconnectedness/loss of reality shaking panic attack symptoms have no precipitating stimulus and often peak within 10 minutes and last 20-30 minutes from onset panic attacks may be triggered by injury, illness, interpersonal conflict or loss, cannabis use, or stimulants (i.e., caffeine or decongestants) Physical exam anxious mood nonspecific signs of ↑ sympathetic state hypertension tachycardia mild tachypnea mild tremors cool and clammy skin Studies ECG rule out ischemia, infarction, or pericarditis in patients with chest pain TSH, T3, and T4 rule out hyperthyroidism Urine toxicology screen screen for amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, and phencyclidine in patients suspected of intoxication from substance use Differential Acute coronary syndrome key distinguishing factor ECG changes i.e., ST elevation, Q waves, and T-wave inversion Asthma key distinguishing factor wheezing on physical examination Hyperthyroidism key distinguishing factor ↑ levels of thyroid hormones Treatment Lifestyle psychotherapy cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) treatment of choice consider for all patients Medical benzodiazepines (i.e., alprazolam or clonazepam) indications providing a few doses for emergency or for urgent/as-needed use may ↑ patient confidence avoid in patients with known history of substance use disorder or alcoholism selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (i.e., escitalopram or sertraline) indications longer-term pharmacological management Complications Noncompliance or adverse medication effects ↑ 4-fold in patients with panic disorder treatment expectations and concerns should be discussed with the patient Prognosis Long-term prognosis is good with ~65% of patients achieving remission within 6 months Negative prognostic variables low socioeconomic status severe illness at time of initial assessment high interpersonal sensitivity