Abstract:

Background: The present study was designed to examine the relationship between panic severity and symptomatic outcome following brief cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBGT). Method: The sample consisted of 15 outpatients suffering from Panic Disorder who underwent CBGT. Panic severity was assessed by the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Body Sensations Questionnaire (BSQ), Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ) and Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI) were administered to the patients by the study team at baseline, after the second and 5th session,post-treatment and first month. Results: At the end of 5 sessions, a significant decrease was observed in the severity of panic disorder, depression and anxiety values, body sensations and health anxiety levels and this decrease was maintained at 1 month. Conclusions: According to our results, our 5-session protocol seems to be a fast and effective option in the treatment of panic disorder.

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