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Comorbid panic disorder and major depression: implications for cognitive-behavioral therapy
P D McLean1, S Woody, S Taylor
1Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Canada.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
|May 16, 1998
Summary
Major depression comorbidity did not negatively impact cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) for panic disorder. This finding suggests CBT is effective for panic disorder, even with co-occurring depression.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Panic disorder and major depression frequently co-occur.
- The impact of this comorbidity on psychological treatment outcomes is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if pretreatment major depression affects the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) for panic disorder.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-seven patients with panic disorder and major depression received 10 sessions of individual CBT for panic.
- Treatment outcomes were compared to 53 patients with panic disorder alone who received the same CBT protocol.
Main Results:
- The presence of comorbid major depression did not adversely affect the outcome of CBT for panic disorder.
- Patients with and without comorbid depression showed similar treatment responses.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive-behavioral treatment for panic disorder is effective, irrespective of comorbid major depression.
- Findings support the use of CBT for panic disorder in patients with co-occurring depression and inform the understanding of the panic-depression relationship.