An open pilot study of interpersonal psychotherapy for panic disorder (IPT-PD).
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a time-limited psychotherapy initially developed to treat depression. It has yet to be studied systematically for treatment of panic disorder. We modified IPT for the treatment of panic disorder and tested this treatment in an open clinical trial with 12 patients seeking treatment of DSM-IV panic disorder. Patients were assessed before during and after treatment. At completion of treatment, nine patients (75%) were independently categorized as responders (i.e., rated as much improved or very much improved on the Clinical Global Impression-Change Scale). Substantial improvement was found for panic symptoms, associated anxiety and depressive symptoms, and physical and emotional well-being. Degree of change in this sample approximated that obtained in studies using established treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Results, though preliminary, suggest that IPT may have efficacy as a primary treatment of panic disorder. Further study is warranted.
Lipsitz
Joshua D
JD
Columbia University, Department of Psychiatry, Anxiety Disorders Clinic, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA.
Gur
Merav
M
Miller
Nina L
NL
Forand
Nicholas
N
Vermes
Donna
D
Fyer
Abby J
AJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome