Panic disorder differential diagnosis

The differential diagnosis of panic disorder includes other psychiatric illnesses, medical illnesses, and substances that can cause panic attacks. Also included are medical illnesses that cause symptoms resembling panic attacks. It should be mentioned that these other conditions, which are described below, and panic disorder are not necessarily mutually exclusive. In fact, there is a high rate of comorbidity between panic disorder, other anxiety disorders, and mood disorders. Because panic disorder is frequently accompanied by agoraphobia, the differential diagnosis also includes illnesses that are associated with symptoms resembling the avoidance of the agoraphobic patient. 

The diagnosis generalized anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified refers to a free-floating state of anxiety that is not firmly bounded. For example, a person with a diagnosis of generalized anxiety would be differentiated from someone who suffers specifically from panic disorders or from another particular phobia. 

Cluster C patients may indeed present for psychotherapy and may improve with that treatment modality alone. However, the therapist should carefully consider the differential diagnosis between avoidant personality disorder and panic disorder or social anxiety disorder, for example, which responds well to SSRI therapy. And the therapist should particularly evaluate the Cluster C patient for obsessional signs and symptoms that may respond well to antiobsessional medication. 

Differentiating SAD from other anxiety disorders can be difficult. Panic attacks occur in both SAD and panic disorder, but the distinction between the two is the rationale behind fear fear of anxiety symptoms is characteristic of panic disorder, while fear of embarrassment from social interaction typifies SAD. GAD is hkely the diagnosis if anxiety regarding social situations are part of a pattern of worries about multiple fife areas or numerous potential negative outcomes. A majority of SAD patients have a comorbid mood, anxiety, or substance abuse disorder. The SAD typically precedes the development of comorbid disorders, which is associated with increased suicidal ideation. ... 

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