Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Panic Disorder: A Clinician's Guide to Theory and Practice

Consistent with the aim of the Practical Clinical Guidebooksseries, this book presents a clear, science-based, practical description of the cognitive-behavioral treatment of panic disorder. It describes the step-by-step application of an empirically supported CBT approach informed by recent scientific findings on the nature and treatment of panic disorder. The first chapter presents an overview of panic attacks and panic disorders, their causes, assessment instruments, and contemporary cognitive-behavioral and pharmacological treatments. The next chapter describes the author's cognitive-behavioral treatment model and the implications of recent research on extinction learning for maximizing outcomes in CBT. Chapter three reviews the scientific foundation of the treatment model, and a step-by-step CBT protocol is described in chapter four. In chapter five, the application of each treatment strategy is illustrated using clinical case examples, and the final chapter provides troubleshooting strategies for dealing with factors that can complicated the successful delivery of CBT. Appendices include handouts, assessments and monitoring forms, and exercises to use with patients.