title: Cognitive-behavioral therapy for panic disorder: a review of treatment elements, strategies, and outcomes.
abstract: This article provides an overview of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for panic disorder. CBT is currently considered a first-line treatment for panic disorder. It offers benefit after short-term intervention, typically consisting of 12-15 sessions conducted in either an individual or a group format. The treatment focuses on the elimination of the patterns that underlie and perpetuate the disorder. Through CBT, patients learn about the nature of the disorder and acquire a set of strategies that counter the fears of panic attacks themselves, and break the recurring cycle of anticipatory anxiety, panic, and agoraphobic avoidance. The collaborative format of treatment, and a focus on elimination of core fears may be factors in enhancing longer-term outcome. In this article, we review the efficacy of CBT as a first-line treatment, a strategy for medication nonresponders, a replacement strategy for patients who wish to discontinue pharmacotherapy, and a potential preventive strategy for at-risk individuals. We also discuss some of the complex issues involved with combination-treatment strategies.
authors.affiliation: Cognitive-Behavior Program, Department of Psychology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Nadine Recker
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Rayburn
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Otto
mesh_terms: D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome