Introduction/Focus on Panic Disorder: Antidepressants in Practice

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Panic disorder is a prevalent, chronic, and disabling condition that has a considerableimpact on quality of life. Etiologic models postulate dysfunction in several brain neurotransmitters, although increasing prominence is given to the role of serotonin. The developmentof antidepressants with specific serotonergic activity has facilitated the recognitionof effective therapies.What defines clinical improvement and treatment response in panic disorder?