Combination Psychological and Pharmacological Treatments for Panic Disorder

摘要

Several well-supported monotherapies exist for panic disorder; however, data are complex regarding the efficacy of combination treatment strategies for this disorder. Some meta-analytic evidence provides support for the implementation of combination psychotherapeutic and pharmacologic treatment for panic disorder. This review also considers several limitations to combination methods of treatments, such as long-term effects, treatment adherence, costs of combined treatments, treatment interference effects, and maintenance of treatment gains. Sequential approaches to combined treatments offer another viable option with stronger support in the literature, particularly when used to aid discontinuation of medications. Novel approaches to combined treatments, such as the use of cognitive enhancers, will also be considered. Finally, we will discuss clinical considerations and implementation of the combination form of therapy.