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Panic disorder: efficacy of current treatments
1Institute of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425-0742.
Psychopharmacology Bulletin
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Effective treatments for panic disorder (PD) are now available, including medications and cognitive-behavioral techniques. These therapies significantly improve symptoms and reduce disability for most patients with panic disorder.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Panic disorder (PD) affects 1-2% of the population and was historically difficult to treat.
- Previous treatments were largely ineffective, leaving many patients unimproved.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the efficacy of current pharmacological and psychosocial treatments for panic disorder.
- To highlight advances in understanding and treating panic disorder.
Main Methods:
- Review of numerous studies on panic disorder treatments.
- Inclusion of findings from the National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference (1991).
Main Results:
- At least 75% of patients respond well to three classes of medications: tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and benzodiazepines.
- Psychosocial treatments, particularly cognitive-behavioral techniques, are effective and may offer advantages like lower relapse rates.
- Combined pharmacological and cognitive-behavioral treatments show promise.
- Untreated panic disorder tends to be chronic and worsen over time.
Conclusions:
- Panic disorder is a distinct condition with effective pharmacological and cognitive-behavioral treatments available.
- Current treatments can significantly reduce or eliminate panic attacks, phobic avoidance, depression, and associated disability.
- Further research is needed on treatment duration, long-term outcomes, and patient-specific factors.