Empirically supported treatments for panic disorder.
This article provides an empirical review of the elements and efficacy of both pharmacologic and psychosocial treatments for panic disorder. Both monotherapies and combination treatment strategies are considered. The available evidence suggests that both cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy (prominently, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) are effective first-line agents and that CBT offers particular cost efficacy relative to both pharmacotherapy alone and combined pharmacotherapy and CBT. Predictors of non-response and mechanisms of action are considered, as are novel treatment strategies, including the use of memory enhancers to improve CBT outcome.
McHugh
R Kathryn
RK
Department of Psychology, 648 Beacon Street, 6th Floor, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA. rkmchugh@bu.edu
Smits
Jasper A J
JA
Otto
Michael W
MW
D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000639:trends*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000639:trends*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome