CBT, pharmacotherapy, or both for panic disorder.(What's New in Research)(Clinical report)

Patients with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia may find significant long-term benefits from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) monotherapy, or a combination of CBT plus an SSRI. In a 1-year randomized controlled trial, each of the three treatments was equally effective in significantly improving anxiety and coping ability, and in achieving remission.

The study evaluated differential long-term effectiveness of the three modalities to determine which are the most effective for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. Although patients can relearn safety while in a medicated state, feelings of safety may abate once medication is stopped, resulting in relapse. The study hypothesized that there would be a falloff in gains achieved during combination treatment after …