The Developmental Trajectory of Panic Disorder in Individuals with a History of Interpersonal Childhood Trauma

This critical literature review focused on the influence of interpersonal childhood trauma on the developmental trajectory of panic disorder. A wide array of articles and studies are comprehensively reviewed to explore the manner in which the onset, severity, and maintenance of panic disorder symptoms can become complicated in complexity by exposure to adverse interpersonal childhood experiences, such as physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse. Additionally, the neuroanatomical variations within panic disorder and the neurobiological alterations associated with exposure to interpersonal childhood trauma are systematically analyzed. Finally, the availability of evidence-based interventions to efficaciously treat panic disorder symptoms among individuals with a history of interpersonal childhood trauma is discussed. Clinical implications and recommendations for treatment are also included