Panic disorder in the medical setting.

Most patients with panic disorder have their initial contact with the health care system in a general medical setting. Only 35% of patients have their first contact in a mental health care setting, and of these, only 22% are evaluated initially by a psychiatrist. Thus, family practitioners, cardiologists, gastroenterologists, and other specialists need to become familiar with the signs, symptoms, and differential diagnosis of panic disorder. Early diagnosis of panic disorder by nonpsychiatrists-before unnecessary tests are ordered-would substantially decrease the costs associated with this condition.