The longitudinal course and outcome of panic disorder

Information about the long-term course and treatment outcome of panic disorder is of critical clinical and research importance. Patients and clinicians need to understand the possible course of illness as well as the expected likelihood of sustained recovery or relapse during treatment and upon treatment discontinuation. Information about the longitudinal course of illness is also helpful in identifying patients at risk for acute and long-term difficulties, in examining differential response of patient subtypes to therapeutic interventions, and in determining whether treatment confers added benefit or adversely affects normative recovery.