Evaluation of cognitive-analytic therapy (CAT) outcome in patients with panic disorder.

Two categories of treatment have been shown to be effective in treating panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. One is pharmacotherapy using antidepressants and benzodiazepinesand the other is psychotherapy. The present study aims at the assessment of the outcome of Cognitive-Analytic Therapy (CAT), a type of brief psychotherapy, in a sample of 128 psychiatricoutpatients with DSM-IV diagnosis of panic disorder, who attended the Mental Health Center of Northwestern District of Thessaloniki. For this purpose, validated instruments for the evaluation,such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Post-therapy Questionnaire (PtQ), were used.The patients were evaluated in two follow ups, 2 months and 1 year after therapy termination. The results showed that on the 2 month follow up 78 patients showed a statistically significant improvementin comparison to the intake time, in all but two (Mf, Ma) clinical scales of the MMPI, on their sum and on some research scales of the MMPI, on the BDI and on the STAI scores. On the 1-yearfollow-up, according to the results of the MMPI, BDI, STAI and PtQ, the patients maintained the achieved improvement. The above results indicate that CAT is an effective brief psychotherapeuticapproach for patients with panic disorder.