Open trial of psychodynamic psychotherapy for panic disorder: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
This report contains preliminary data from an open trial of brief psychodynamic psychotherapy for panic disorder.


METHODS
Fourteen patients with primary DSM-IV panic disorder completed a 24-session, twice-weekly course of psychodynamic psychotherapy. Other psychiatric treatment was not permitted throughout the 12-week treatment period and the 6-month follow-up. Symptoms were assessed at baseline, treatment termination, and 6-month posttermination follow-up (40 weeks).


RESULTS
Statistically significant, clinically meaningful improvements appeared in panic, depression, anxiety, and functional impairment both at treatment termination and at 6-month follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychodynamic monotherapy can be used successfully to retain and treat patients with panic disorder. Psychodynamic interventions warrant further study for patients with panic disorder.
Milrod
B
B
Department of Psychiatry, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA. bmilrod@med.cornell.edu
Busch
F
F
Leon
A C
AC
Shapiro
T
T
Aronson
A
A
Roiphe
J
J
Rudden
M
M
Singer
M
M
Goldman
H
H
Richter
D
D
Shear
M K
MK
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011575:Psychoanalytic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome