Publications internationales Panic and avoidance in panic disorder with agoraphobia: Clinical relevance of change in different aspects of the disorder

Panic and avoidance in panic disorder with agoraphobia: Clinical relevance of change in different aspects of the disorder

Jonas Ramnerö and Lars-Göran Öst

Revue : Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry

Different aspects of change were examined in 62 patients who fulfilled the DSM-IV criteria for a primary diagnosis of panic disorder with agoraphobia of moderate to severe magnitude, and who were treated with 16 sessions of behavioral therapy. The treatment resulted in substantial effects on panic attacks and agoraphobic avoidance. Panic-free status only differentiated the patients regarding mood at pre- and post-treatment. Changes in panic and avoidance were related to each other, but change in avoidance was more related to change in negative affect. Change in quality of life (QOL) was also more associated with change in avoidance at post-treatment. At follow-up change in QOL was more related to change in panic than change in avoidance.

Keywords: Exposure in vivo; Cognitive-behavior therapy; Negative affect; Quality of life

Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry - Volume 38, Issue 1 , March 2007, Pages 29-39

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