Efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy with panic disorder: a single case study

ABSTRACT

Panic Disorder is very debilitating, distressing for the sufferers and has comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders. Though it is very commonly reported disorder in clinical practice, research on efficacy of different management strategies and therapeutic interventions is non-existent in Pakistan. The present study employed single case design to examine the efficacy of behavioral and cognitive management strategies with panic disorder. Stanford Panic Appraisal Inventory, State Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI], Fear Questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory [BDI] were used to assess the patient prior to, in the middle and after completion of intervention sessions. Intervention consisted of cognitive behavior therapy including anxiety management, panic management and challenging dysfunctional thoughts. Therapy consisted of 13 sessions conducted twice a week initially and later on once a week. Analysis revealed that the symptoms gradually decreased over sessions and the patient remained panic free at follow-up. The findings support effectiveness of psychological intervention with panic disorder