- Basic premise: Thoughts, feelings and behaviors are inter-related, so altering one can help to alleviate problems in another.
- Essence of therapy: Cognitive therapy aims to help the person identify, challenge, and modify dysfunctional ideas related to panic symptoms (e.g., catastrophic consequences of bodily sensations). Avoidance of panic and panic-cues is targeted through exposure exercises, including both in vivo (e.g., going to crowded places or driving in traffic) and interoceptive (e.g., bodily sensations) exposures.
- Length: Approx. 12-16 sessions
Other Treatment Resources
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy for panic disorder: A review of treatment elements, strategies, and outcomes (Rayburn & Otto, 2003)
- The effects of treatment compliance on outcome in cognitive-behavioral therapy for panic disorder: Quality versus quantity (Schmidt & Woolaway-Bickel, 2000)
- When anxiety symptoms masquerade as physical symptoms: What medical specialists know about panic disorder and available psychological treatments (Teng, Chaison, Hamilton, Bailey, & Dunn, 2008)
- Treatment of Panic Disorder: A Consensus Development Conference (Author: Wolfe; Editor: Maser)
- Panic Disorder and Its Treatment (Editors: Pollack & Rosenbaum)
- Anxiety and Its Disorders: The Nature and Treatment of Anxiety and Panic (Barlow)
- Anxiety Disorders and Phobias: A Cognitive Perspective (Beck, Emery, & Greenberg, 2005)
Meta-analyses and Systematic Reviews
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy and the treatment of panic disorder: Efficacy and strategies (Otto & Deveney, 2005)
- Treatment of panic (Schmidt & Keough, 2010)
- A meta-analysis of the efficacy of psycho- and pharmacotherapy in panic disorder with and without agoraphobia (Mitte, 2005)
- A meta-analysis of treatment outcome for panic disorder (Gould, Otto, & Pollack, 1995)
- Cognitive-behavioral treatment for panic disorder: Current status (Landon & Barlow, 2004)
- A meta-analysis of the treatment of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia: A comparison of psychopharmacological, cognitive-behavioral and combination treatments (Van Balkom et al., 1997)
- Psychological treatment of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia: A meta-analysis (Sánchez-Meca, Rosa-Alcázar, Marín-Martínez, & Gómez-Conesa, 2010)
Clinical Trials
- Group cognitive-behavioral treatment of panic disorder (Telch et al., 1993)
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy, imipramine, or their combination for panic disorder: A randomized controlled trial (Barlow, Gorman, Shear, & Woods, 2000)
- A randomized effectiveness trial of cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication for primary care panic disorder (Roy-Byrne et al., 2005)
- Behavioral treatment of panic disorder: A two-year follow-up (Craske, Brown, & Barlow, 1991)
- Alprazolam and exposure alone and combined in panic disorder with agoraphobia (Marks et al., 1993)
- Brief cognitive-behavioral versus nondirective therapy for panic disorder (Craske, Maidenberg, & Bystritsky, 1995)
Video Repository
Videos Available for Purchase Through External Sites
- Fight or Flight? Overcoming Panic and Agoraphobia (Rapee)
- Effectively Managing Panic Disorder (AnxietyBC)
Smartphone Apps
- iCBT (Bonfire Development Advisors)
- Stop Panic & Anxiety Self-Help (Excel at Life)
Important Note: The apps listed above are based on empirically-supported in-person treatments. They have not necessarily been evaluated empirically either by themselves or in conjunction with in-person treatment. We list them as a resource for clinicians who assign them as an adjunct to conducting in-person treatment.
Books Available for Purchase Through External Sites
- 10 Simple Solutions to Panic: How to Overcome Panic Attacks, Calm Physical Symptoms, and Reclaim Your Life (Antony & McCabe)
- Mastery of Your Anxiety and Panic: Workbook (Barlow & Craske)
- Don’t Panic: Taking Control of Anxiety Attacks (Wilson)
- An End to Panic: Breakthrough Techniques for Overcoming Panic Disorder (Zuercher-White)
Measures, Handouts and Worksheets
- Panic Disorder Severity Scale – Self Report Form
- Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire
- Body Sensations Questionnaire
- Anxiety Sensitivity Index
Training Materials and Workshops
Treatment Manuals
- Anxiety and Panic Disorder: Patient Treatment Manual (Andrews et al.)
Related Diagnosis
Panic Disorder
EST Status
N/A
2015 EST Status
Treatment pending re-evaluation
1998 EST Status
Strong