Panic Control Treatment of Panic Disorder With Agoraphobia and Comorbid Major Depression: A Private Practice Case

Abstract

The present case explored the applicability and effectiveness of panic control treatment (PCT) administered in a private practice setting by a recently PCT-certified cognitive-behavior therapist. The issue of exportability, i.e., whether treatments developed at clinical research centers and found effective when conducted by the experts who developed them are equally effective when administered in other clinical settings, was specifically addressed. In addition, the impact of comorbid major depression on the PCT treatment of panic disorder with agoraphobia was also assessed. Results indicated that, after 21 sessions of PCT, panic attacks were eliminated, worry about panic decreased from severe to mild levels, and client ratings of global phobia changed from markedly disturbing/disabling to slightly disturbing/not disabling. In addition, comorbid depression was reduced from severe to minimal, while worry and trait anxiety were reduced to within the normal range. The process of therapy is discussed, and speculations regarding the contribution of specific interventions to successful outcome are offered.