The knowledge we have on the subject of panic disorder has increased fairly
rapidly since its admittance into the DSM in 1980. Despite all of the progress
made in the field, we still have a long way to go before a full understanding
is reached. The quality of treatment of panic disorder has room for
improvement. As of 1996, only 18% of panic disorder patients recovered from
their disorder, and of that 18%, there was a 60% relapse rate.
An increase in the caliber of treatment is the next step in the long battle
to fight panic disorder.