Up to 5% of the population will experience panic disorder at some point in their lives. It frequently results in disability, especially when agoraphobia complicates things, and is linked to significant functional morbidity and decreased quality of life. The disorder is also expensive for people and society as seen by rising health care costs, higher absenteeism, and decreased workplace productivity. Although there are some physical conditions (like asthma) that frequently co-occur with panic disorder and some lifestyle choices (like smoking) raise the risk for the condition, the exact mechanisms that cause it are still unknown. Although they exist, the precise nature and pathogenic mechanisms of genetic and early experience susceptibility factors are yet unknown. Strong evidence supports the use of various efficient treatments despite an imperfect but growing understanding of the cause (eg, pharmacological, cognitive-behavioral). Urgent objectives for the public health community should be the adaption and diffusion of these treatments to the frontlines of medical care delivery.
