Short- and long- term efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for DSM-IV panic disorder in patients with and without severe psychiatric comorbidity.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and/or pharmacological therapy are considered to be effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Anxiety patients frequently suffer from comorbid psychiatric disorders such as depression or substance disorders. Ongoing substance disorders and/or severe depressive symptomatology often are the reason why patients are not treated by outpatient psychotherapy.