After the acute phase treatment , as long as the drug was continued , the superiority of the combination over either monotherapy appeared to persist .
BACKGROUND Panic disorder can be treated with pharmacotherapy , psychotherapy or in combination , but the relative merits of combined therapy have not been well established .
OBJECTIVES To review evidence concerning short- and long-term advantages and disadvantages of combined psychotherapy plus antidepressant treatment for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia , in comparison with either therapy alone .
Specific phobia 10-16 years after treatment.
Twenty eight participants , initially treated for specific phobia as part of a comparative treatment study , were evaluated 10 to 16 years ( X = 12 years ) later . A comprehensive , in-person , semi-structured diagnostic interview was utilized , which also assessed comorbid disorders . Of 21 patients who had been rated as responders ( much improved or very much improved ) at treatment termination , 13 ( 62 % ) had clinical ly significant avoidance or endurance with dread  subsequent to treatment . Among a subgroup of these responders who had been considered completely recovered ( n = 11 ) , 5 ( 45 % ) had clinical ly significant symptoms following treatment . None of the seven subjects who had been considered unimproved at treatment termination recovered from phobia symptoms in the intervening years . Positive response to treatment was associated with better long term outcome . Clinical characteristics , such as phobia subtype , age of onset , baseline severity , and lifetime comorbidity of other psychiatric disorders were not associated with long term outcome in this sample . Type of treatment was not associated with long term outcome . Results challenge the notion that recovery from specific phobia following treatment is characterized by complete and enduring cessation of symptoms
After the acute phase treatment , as long as the drug was continued , the superiority of the combination over either monotherapy appeared to persist .
BACKGROUND Panic disorder can be treated with pharmacotherapy , psychotherapy or in combination , but the relative merits of combined therapy have not been well established .
OBJECTIVES To review evidence concerning short- and long-term advantages and disadvantages of combined psychotherapy plus antidepressant treatment for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia , in comparison with either therapy alone .