Once a panic disorder develops, seeking panic disorder therapy becomes even more important: left untreated, panic attacks can lead to severe phobias or other anxiety disorders, to avoidance of social situations, to suicidal thoughts or actions, to financial problems, to work or school problems, and/or to alcohol or substance abuse problems. Because panic disorders do not go away on their own, experts encourage people to seek therapy as soon as they realize they are altering their day-to-day lives in order to cope. Most sufferers will undergo cognitive behavior therapy or exposure therapy as part of their panic disorder therapy. These treatments may be combined with medication depending on the specifics of each case.