The review established the paucity of high quality evidence investigating the efficacy of psychotherapy combined with benzodiazepines for panic disorder .
Currently , there is inadequate evidence to assess the clinical effects of psychotherapy combined with benzodiazepines for patients who are diagnosed with panic disorder
BACKGROUND The efficacy of combining psychotherapy and benzodiazepines for panic disorder is unclear , despite widespread use .
OBJECTIVES To examine the efficacy of the combination compared with either treatment alone .
Self-exposure therapy for panic disorder with agoraphobia: randomised controlled study of external v. interoceptive self-exposure.
BACKGROUND Exposure to external phobic cues is an effective therapy for  panic/agoraphobia  but the value of exposure to interoceptive cues is unclear . AIMS R and omised controlled comparison in panic/agoraphobia of the effects of ( a ) external , ( b ) interceptive or ( c ) combined external and interoceptive self-exposure to ( d ) control subjects . METHOD Eighty out- patients were r and omised to a control group or to one of three forms of self-exposure treatment ( external , interoceptive , or combined ) . Each treatment included seven sessions over 10 weeks and daily self-exposure homework . Assessment s were at pre- and post-treatment and up to 1 year post-entry . Assessors remained blind during treatment . RESULTS The three self-exposure groups improved significantly and similarly at post-treatment and up to 1-year followup , and significantly more than did the control subjects . Rates of improvement on main outcome measures averaged 60 % at post-treatment and 77 % at follow-up . CONCLUSIONS The three methods of self-exposure were equally effective in reducing panic and agoraphobic symptoms in the short- and long-term
The review established the paucity of high quality evidence investigating the efficacy of psychotherapy combined with benzodiazepines for panic disorder .
Currently , there is inadequate evidence to assess the clinical effects of psychotherapy combined with benzodiazepines for patients who are diagnosed with panic disorder
BACKGROUND The efficacy of combining psychotherapy and benzodiazepines for panic disorder is unclear , despite widespread use .
OBJECTIVES To examine the efficacy of the combination compared with either treatment alone .