Book Description:
Panic disorder is characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms that may include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness or abdominal distress. These sensations often mimic symptoms of a heart attack or other life-threatening medical conditions. As a result, the diagnosis of panic disorder is frequently not made until extensive and costly medical procedures fail to provide a correct diagnosis or relief. Many people with panic disorder develop intense anxiety between episodes. It is not unusual for a person with panic disorder to develop phobias about places or situations where panic attacks have occurred, such as in supermarkets or other everyday situations. As the frequency of panic attacks increases, the person often begins to avoid situations where they fear another attack may occur or where help would not be immediately available. This avoidance may eventually develop into agoraphobia, an inability to go beyond known and safe surroundings because of intense fear and anxiety. This new book brings together leading research in the field from throughout the world.

Table of Contents:
Preface;

Chapter I - Panic Disorder: Phenomenology, Treatment and Prognosis
pp. 1-13
(Ulla Lepola, Psychiatric Research Clinic of Kuopio, Finland and Hannu Koponen, University of Oulu, Finland)

Chapter II - Test of a Panic-Relevant Diathesis-Stress Model Using a Taxonic Index of Anxiety Sensitivity pp. 15-40
(Amit Bernstein et al., The University of Vermont)

Chapter III - A Test of a Cognitive Diathesis-Stress Model of Panic Vulnerability among Adolescents pp. 41-64
(Ellen W. Leen-Feldner et al., University of Vermont)

Chapter IV - Childhood Anxiety Disorder and Heart Rate Variability
pp. 65-81
(Dr. K. Srinivasan, St. John’s Medical College Hospital, India)

Chapter V - Neuroimaging in Panic Disorder pp. 83-111
(Odile A. van den Heuvel et al., VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Chapter VI - Kampo Medicine for Anxiety Disorders pp. 113-118
(Naoki Mantani, Gunma University School of Medicine, Japan)

Chapter VII - If You Panic, You Should Run: Why Physical Exercise Should Be Prescribed in Panic Disorder pp. 119-145
(Luiz Dratcu, Guy’s, King’s and St. Thomas’ School of Medical Sciences at London)

Chapter VIII - How to Improve Pharmacological Treatment of Panic Disorder? pp. 147-162
(Vladan Starcevic, University of Sydney and Nepean Hospital, Australia)

Index