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Antidepressants in panic disorder and agoraphobia
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425.
Journal of Affective Disorders
|September 1, 1987
Summary
Tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors effectively treat panic attacks. Further research is needed to optimize treatment duration, dosage, and compare medication with behavioral therapies for panic disorder.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Panic disorder and agoraphobia with panic attacks are significant clinical challenges.
- Pharmacological treatments have advanced, but many questions remain regarding optimal use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the efficacy of antidepressants in treating panic disorder and agoraphobia.
- To identify areas needing further research for optimizing pharmacological and behavioral treatments.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of antidepressant efficacy for panic disorder.
- Analysis of existing research on treatment outcomes and comparisons.
Main Results:
- Tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors demonstrate efficacy in blocking panic attacks.
- Significant progress in pharmacological treatment over 20 years, yet gaps in knowledge persist.
Conclusions:
- Further research is essential to understand dose-response, treatment duration, and relapse predictors.
- Comparative studies of medications and behavioral therapies are needed to guide treatment selection and combination strategies.