What are the most common dangers associated with a panic disorder?

What are the most common dangers associated with a panic disorder?

Christopher Reist (Academic Psychiatrist, Co-Author of “Psychiatry”) gives expert video advice on: What are the common treatments for panic disorder?; Is there anything I can do to avoid developing panic disorder? and more...

Panic disorder can be associated with a number of important dangers. First of all, and most importantly, people with panic disorder are at increased risk of suicide. They're also at risk of having their disorder interfere with their functioning. This would occur in the job workplace, or impair a panic disorder sufferer's ability to have relationships and function at a high level in social situations. Before panic disorder is diagnosed, often patients go to the emergency room with complaints of these physical symptoms. Sometimes, this can result in unnecessary laboratory or diagnostic tests that sometimes have some risk in and of themselves. Panic disorder is also associated with development of major depression which can cause further impairment. Panic disorder is also associated with substance abuse as patients try to self-medicate some of their anxiety symptoms.