Treating panic disorder: a psychotherapeutic case.

Panic attacks are a common complaint of patients seeking psychiatric care. Treatment options for panic disorder include both medications and psychotherapy, either alone or in combination. Psychodynamic psychotherapy can be very effective in treating panic disorder, yet in recent years, psychiatric residency training has emphasized a medical model over teaching psychotherapy. In this article, we will use a composite case to illustrate how psychodynamic psychotherapy can be utilized to treat panic disorder in such a way that is rewarding for both the patient and the psychiatrist.