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Panic disorder is a complex phenomenon according to its biochemical and psychosocial etiology. Therapeutic interventions of panic disorder are aimed to promote effectiveness through the combined use of medication and behavioral cognitive therapy. Anxiety is a normal human response. Moderate levels of anxiety arc well accepted because they act as an aid to improve performance, and high levels of anxiety are experienced as normal if they arc consistent with the demands of the situation. Persons with anxiety disorders complain of experiencing anxiety too often but they seek help also to overcome fears they recognize as irrational and intrusive. From a psychological point of view, behavioral cognitive techniques — such as hyperventilation control, exposure, and cognitive therapy- and structured problem solving have been successful in the treatment of the symptoms associated to anxiety. It is worth to emphasize that graded exposure is perhaps the most powerful technique assisting patients to overcome fearful situations. Cognitions are also important because it has been found that panic attacks occur when people process information in the external environment, as well as internal somatic stimuli, as though they were threatening experiences. In other words, they feel they have no control over their sensations. The present study reports data from 32 panic disorder outpatients from the National Psychiatry Institute, Mexico City. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]