Despite effective treatment, people with panic disorder complicated by agoraphobia often find it prohibitively difficult to seek treatment, according to Dr. Claudio Soares in a Journal Watch article.

What to do?

Based on the results of a study of 60 people suffering from panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, the Internet is an option.

Treatment included cognitive behavior therapy plus minimal therapist contact via e-mail and a 10-minute support telephone call each week, or placement on a wait list.

And the results.

• All treated participants improved significantly in body assessment, maladaption, avoidance, general anxiety and depression, and quality of life.
• Treatment gains as assessed by the participants were maintained for 9 months.
• 77% no longer fulfilled the criteria for panic disorder, whereas all of the wait-listed subjects still suffered from it.

The bottom line?
This study supports the complementary contributions of the Internet plus short weekly telephone calls to treat panic disorder.

3/5/07 23:08 JR