Psychosocial interventions for panic disorder

Use psychosocial interventions as first-line treatment for panic disorder.

Provide psychoeducation about the disorder; in particular, explain how the panic attack produces physical symptoms. Advise the patient to use the breathing control techniques described for the treatment of acute panic attack and relaxation strategies.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the treatment of choice for panic disorder—CBT can be used to challenge misattributions about the physiological symptoms of panic and to establish strategies to manage them. Several types of CBT can be used for panic disorder. The most commonly used is panic control treatment, which involves exposure to deliberately induce symptoms together with techniques (eg controlled slow breathing) for controlling them, and reattribution of symptoms to benign causes (eg palpitations are not due to cardiac arrest).

There is limited evidence for acceptance and commitment therapy and psychodynamic psychotherapy.