title: Behavior therapy for panic disorder.
abstract: Eleven patients who met DSM-III criteria for panic disorder were treated with behavior therapy techniques. Seven patients had mixed phobic avoidance and none were agoraphobic; three had no phobic symptoms. Mean duration of symptoms was 3.4 years. Treatment lasted a mean of 14 weeks and consisted of 1) education about physiology and management of panic symptoms; 2) relaxation, abdominal breathing, and cognitive anxiety management skills; and 3) imaginal and in vivo exposure. Upon termination of treatment, 10 of 11 patients were panic-free and six of seven mixed phobics showed complete remission or significant improvement of phobias. Follow-up data revealed excellent stability of remission. Clinical implications for the use of behavior therapy for panic disorder and directions for future research are discussed.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gitlin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Shear
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Frances
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Josephson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003887:Desensitization, Psychologic; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010200:Panic; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D012119:Respiration