Importance of supervision

Pharmacological treatment for Panic Disorder should always be individualized and carefully supervised by a qualified healthcare professional, usually a psychiatrist.

Furthermore, research and clinical practice indicate that combining medication with psychotherapy often provides the best long-term results.

Medical Supervision Is Essential

The choice of medication, the appropriate dosage, monitoring of effects (both therapeutic and adverse), and eventual drug withdrawal should be guided by a physician.

Self-medication or changing treatment regimens without supervision can be ineffective and even dangerous.

The physician will consider the patient's medical history, the severity of symptoms, the presence of other medical or psychological conditions, and possible interactions with other medications before prescribing drug treatment.

Regular follow-up visits are crucial for adjusting medication and monitoring response.

Psychotherapy as a Fundamental Treatment

While medication can be very helpful in relieving acute panic symptoms and reducing overall anxiety, psychotherapy, especially Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), addresses the underlying causes and maintaining mechanisms of the disorder.

CBT helps a person to:

• Understand the nature of their panic attacks.

• Identify and modify catastrophic interpretations of physical sensations.

• Gradually confront feared sensations (interoceptive exposure) and avoided situations (in vivo exposure).

• Develop anxiety management skills and coping strategies.

These skills learned in therapy are long-lasting and can help prevent relapse once they occur. medication is reduced or discontinued.

Combining Treatments for Optimal Outcomes

For many people with Panic Disorder, especially in moderate to severe cases, a