Panic disorder management in primary care: initial treatment steps?

The initial management steps for treating panic disorder in primary care include offering treatment promptly, which may involve psychological therapy, medication, or self-help options, based on assessment and shared decision making ¹.

For people with mild to moderate panic disorder, consider offering or referring for low-intensity interventions such as individual non-facilitated self-help or individual facilitated self-help ¹.

Providing information about support groups and discussing the benefits of exercise as part of good health should also be included in initial management ¹.

It is important to conduct a comprehensive assessment to identify the severity, distress, and functional impairment, and to consider comorbidities and individual circumstances ¹.