Psychotherapy of panic disorder. Therapeutic approaches, treatment principles and effectiveness of current treatment methods

Numerous randomised controlled trials have demonstrated the efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy for panic disorders. Regarding the effectiveness of symptom-related psychodynamic short-time psychotherapy (PFPP), initial empirical evidence has also been provided. For both methods the theoretical background of the treatment principles is described. An overview of current studies of the effectiveness of the treatment methods is given: psychotherapeutic treatment appears to work only if the patient is confronted with the panic symptoms and their background. Cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) does this with the exposure to panic related situations and bodily sensations; in psychodynamic psychotherapy, the active exploration of panic related cognitions and emotions and the interpretation of the ambivalent-dependent transference characteristic for patients with panic disorders has turned out to be effective. Relinquishing their habitual avoidance strengthens panic patient's confidence to handle critical situations in the future.