ABSTRACT
Ever since Klein suggested that panic disorder was a separate diagnostic entity on the basis of its specific response to imipramine, its aetiology has been the subject of much research. A bewildering diversity of factors has been implicated in its aetiology. Psychological theories, genetic and environmental contributions, challenge paradigms, imaging studies and the therapeutic benefit of certain drugs are just some of the numerous leads, that have proved difficult to assimilate into a meaningful unifying theory. In this chapter, we briefly summarize the available evidence and attempt, using the model suggested by Gorman et al (2000), to draw it together.
