Risks and benefits. The specific advantages and risks associated with CBT and pharmacotherapy may help guide the choice of which treatment to initiate. CBT lacks the adverse side effects of medications and the danger of developing physiological dependency on certain drugs. In addition, CBT may not be readily available to patients in some areas. Medications may be associated with a lower likelihood of psychological dependence on the therapist.
Several factors influence the costs of treatment.
In the case of CBT, these factors include the duration and frequency of treatment, the ability to maintain treatment gains, and any requirements for additional psychosocial or pharmacologic treatment. For antipanic medications, factors affecting cost include the choice and dose of antipanic agent, the availability of generic preparations, duration of treatment, the probability of relapse following discontinuation, requirements for additional pharmacotherapy or psychosocial treatment, and costs of treating medication-related side effects. In most cases, the decision to use medication, CBT, another form of psychotherapy, or a combination of treatments is highly individualized. Informed patients may consider the evidence for a treatment's efficacy, particular advantages, risks and side effects, or costs. Types of modalities CBT and other psychotherapies.