Treatment of major depression in the context of panic disorder

Individuals with major depression frequently have panic attacks, and often panic disorder, but rarely have researchers studied the impact of comorbidity of panic on the outcome of psychological treatment of depression.

In this study, patients with comorbid panic and depression were first treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for panic. Depression symptoms in this treated group were compared to a group of patients with major depression who were on a minimal therapist contact waitlist. In the second phase of the study, patients in both groups (comorbid and depression-only) were treated with CBT for depression.

CBT for panic had little effect on co-existing depression, suggesting a specificity of action for CBT directed at different disorders. In addition, the presence of current or recently remitted panic attacks or agoraphobic avoidance did not interfere with the outcome of CBT for depression.

These findings stand in contrast to previous studies showing greater linkage between depression and panic in treatment outcome.

While there are implications for treatment planning, these conclusions may be limited by the exclusion criteria and the highly structured treatment approach of separating treatment for panic from treatment for depression.