[The features of psychopharmacotherapy of depressive states with panic attacks]

To develop therapeutic programs for treatment of depression with panic attacks on the basis of their clinical and psychopathological features.

A total of 100 in- and outpatients, aged from 18 to 60 years, with depression of mild and moderate severity with panic attacks were studied. The investigation was carried out using clinical, psychopathological and psychometric (the Atypical Depression Diagnostic Scale (ADDS), the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scales (MADRS), and the Sheehan Anxiety Rating Scale (ShARS)) methods. The patients were assessed on admission, on the 1^st, 2^nd, 4^th and 8^th weeks with subsequent processing and defining standard indicators. Three therapeutic groups were formed: the 1^st group received therapy combining an antidepressant and a tranquilizer; the 2^nd group an antidepressant, a tranquilizer and a mood stabilizer; and the 3^rd group an antidepressant, a tranquilizer and an antipsychotic agent. The time course of expression of the signs of depression, anxiety and frequency of panic attacks was analyzed.

The highest efficacy in the form of reduced signs of depression and anxiety was observed in the 3^rd group on the 1^st week of therapy. No significant differences in reduction of depression and anxiety were found between the 1^st and 2^nd groups. In the 1^st therapeutic group, there was an increase in the frequency of panic attacks together with the reduction in their expression and decrease in the severity of depression as compared to the 2^nd and 3^rd groups. At the same time the 3^rd therapeutic group was characterized by a maximally expressed decrease in the frequency of panic attacks already on the 1^st week of therapy.

The study has shown that the use of antipsychotic drugs in addition to therapy with antidepressants and tranquilizers is the most effective way to stop depression.