THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BREATHING RETRAINING AND FOCUSSED COGNITIVE-THERAPY IN A CASE OF PANIC DISORDER WITH AGORAPHOBIA

Abstract

In this paper, process and outcome of two therapeutic components to a panic with agoraphobia case are presented. These components were focal cognitive therapy, that is, cognitive therapy focused on bringing about reattribution of panic bodily sensations, and breathing retraining, that is, a treatment focused in training the patient in a breathing slow rithm opposite to hyperventilation as a anxiety control mechanism. Results evidence a higher effectiveness of focal cognitive therapy in the treatment of panic disorder. Need of “dismantling” therapeutic programs in order to determine differential effectiveness of their active ingredients is emphasized, as well as to develop brief treatments with the highest effectiveness and the lowest costs.