Rosenbaum J F
Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
Bull Menninger Clin. 1990 Spring;54(2):184-98.
In the "medical model" view of panic disorder, essential concepts are (1) constitutional vulnerability to disorder and (2) the unique "pathogenic" propensity of a panic attack to generate an array of biobehavioral complications. The normal fear-security system is activated at low threshold or is vulnerable to dysregulation, a vulnerability that is triggered by life events and modified through developmental experience. The author describes the current medical model of panic disorder and then reviews psychopharmacological treatment options and their advantages and disadvantages.
