Behavioral Group Therapy for Panic Disorder with or without Agoraphobia

Treatment

DIAGNOSIS: Panic Disorder

TREATMENT: Behavioral Group Therapy for Panic Disorder with or without Agoraphobia

BRIEF SUMMARY

Basic premise: Behavioral group therapy with exposure and response prevention (ERP) for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia is a structured therapeutic approach designed to help individuals who experience recurring panic attacks, which may be accompanied by agoraphobia (fear of certain situations or places). This type of therapy is grounded in behavioral principles and is typically conducted in a group setting. The primary aim of behavioral group therapy with ERP for panic disorder is to help individuals reduce the frequency and intensity of panic attacks and alleviate agoraphobic behaviors. The therapy equips participants with the tools and coping strategies needed to confront their fears, thereby breaking the cycle of panic. Group therapy is effective because it fosters a sense of community and shared struggle, helping individuals understand that they are not alone in their experiences.

Barlow, D. H., & Craske, M. G. (2007). Mastery of your anxiety and panic. Therapist guide (4th ed). University Press. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/mastery-of-your-anxiety-and-panic-9780197584095?lang=en&cc=de

Fava, G. A., Rafanelli, C., Grandi, S., Conti, S., Ruini, C., Mangelli, L., & Belluardo, P. (2001). Long-term outcome of panic disorder with agoraphobia treated by exposure. Psychological Medicine, 31(5), 891–898. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291701003592

Society of Clinical Psychology – Div12. (n.d.). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Panic Disorder. Div12.org. https://div12.org/treatment/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-for-panic-disorder/

TREATMENT RESOURCES

TREATMENT MANUALS

Psychological treatment of panic (Barlow & Cerny, 1988)

Mastery of your anxiety and panic. Therapist guide. (Barlow & Craske, 2007)

Anxiety and Panic Disorder. Patient Treatment Manual. (Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety Disorders St. Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, 2010)

Fears, phobias, and rituals: Panic, anxiety, and their disorders (Marks, 1987)

Exposure treatments for anxiety disorders: A practitioner’s guide to concepts, methods, and evidence-based practice. (Rosqvist, 2005)

Clinical Guide to Exposure Therapy: Beyond Phobias (Smits et al., 2022)

Exposure therapy for anxiety: Principles and practice (Abramowitz et al, 2019)

Handbook of Exposure Therapies (Richard & Lauterback, 2007)

The big book of exposures: Innovative, creative, & effective CBT-based exposures for treating anxiety-related disorders (Springer & Tolin, 2020)

WORKBOOKS and WORKSHEETS

Exposure and Desensitization (University of Michigan)

Exposure (Psychology Tools)

Panic attacks and Panic Disorder (Psychology Tools)

What is exposure therapy? (Therapist Aid)

Mastery of Your Anxiety and Panic: Workbook. (Barlow & Craske, 2006)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Multicenter collaborative Panic Disorder Severity Scale (Shear et al., 1997)

Exposure therapy for anxiety disorders (Kaplan & Tolin, 2011)

Your Ultimate Interoceptive Exposure Therapy Guide (Sutton, 2022)

SUPPORTING STUDIES

Bouchard, S., Gauthier, J., Laberge, B., French, D., Pelletier, M. H., & Godbout, C. (1996). Exposure versus cognitive restructuring in the treatment of panic disorder with agoraphobia. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 34(3), 213–224.

https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-7967(95)00077-1

Craske, M. G., DeCola, J. P., Sachs, A. D., & Pontillo, D. C. (2003). Panic control treatment for agoraphobia. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 17(3), 321–333.

https://doi.org/10.1016/s0887-6185(02)00203-7

Emmelkamp, P. M., Brilman, E., Kuiper, H., & Mersch, P. P. (1986). The treatment of agoraphobia: A comparison of self-instructional training, rational emotive therapy, and exposure in vivo. Behavior Modification, 10(1), 37–53.

https://doi.org/10.1177/01454455860101003

Marchand, A., Coutu, M. F., Dupuis, G., Fleet, R., Borgeat, F., Todorov, C., & Mainguy, N. (2008). Treatment of panic disorder with agoraphobia: Randomized placebo‐controlled trial of four psychosocial treatments combined with imipramine or placebo. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 37(3), 146–159.

https://doi.org/10.1080/16506070701743120

Marchione, K. E., Michelson, L., Greenwald, M., & Dancu, C. (1987). Cognitive behavioral treatment of agoraphobia. Behaviour research and therapy, 25(5), 319–328.

https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-7967(87)90010-6

Michelson, L., Mavissakalian, M., & Marchione, K. (1985). Cognitive and behavioral treatments of agoraphobia: Clinical, behavioral, and psychophysiological outcomes. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 53(6), 913–925.

https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/0022-006X.53.6.913

Michelson, L., Mavissakalian, M., & Marchione, K. (1988). Cognitive, behavioral, and psychophysiological treatments of agoraphobia: A comparative outcome investigation. Behavior Therapy, 19(2), 97–120.

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7894(88)80035-2