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The long-term treatment of panic disorder.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Davidson, JR
Published in: J Clin Psychiatry
1998

Panic disorder is a chronic and recurring condition, and there is therefore a need for long-term therapy. This paper reviews data from long-term studies of drug treatment for panic disorder to address issues of whether medication benefits persist, whether improvement can continue over several months or years, the tolerability of long-term treatment, patient selection for long-term treatment, and when and how to stop medication. The main conclusion is that long-term drug treatment of panic disorder is necessary, effective, and safe. Serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors offer benefits of ease of dosing, good tolerability, and no safety or dependence problems; TCAs are often poorly tolerated, and benzodiazepines are associated with dependence problems. Withdrawal from all types of medication should be considered, slow, planned, and individualized; some patients require an indefinite duration of treatment.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Clin Psychiatry

ISSN

0160-6689

Publication Date

1998

Volume

59 Suppl 8

Start / End Page

17 / 21

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Treatment Outcome
  • Relaxation Therapy
  • Recurrence
  • Psychiatry
  • Paroxetine
  • Panic Disorder
  • Long-Term Care
  • Humans
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Drug Administration Schedule
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Davidson, J. R. (1998). The long-term treatment of panic disorder. J Clin Psychiatry, 59 Suppl 8, 17–21.
Davidson, J. R. “The long-term treatment of panic disorder.J Clin Psychiatry 59 Suppl 8 (1998): 17–21.
Davidson JR. The long-term treatment of panic disorder. J Clin Psychiatry. 1998;59 Suppl 8:17–21.
Davidson, J. R. “The long-term treatment of panic disorder.J Clin Psychiatry, vol. 59 Suppl 8, 1998, pp. 17–21.
Davidson JR. The long-term treatment of panic disorder. J Clin Psychiatry. 1998;59 Suppl 8:17–21.

Published In

J Clin Psychiatry

ISSN

0160-6689

Publication Date

1998

Volume

59 Suppl 8

Start / End Page

17 / 21

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Treatment Outcome
  • Relaxation Therapy
  • Recurrence
  • Psychiatry
  • Paroxetine
  • Panic Disorder
  • Long-Term Care
  • Humans
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Drug Administration Schedule