Antidepressant Drugs Plus Exposure Treatment of Agoraphobia/Panic and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

Abstract

Exposure to feared situations and ‘antidepressant’ drugs are each effective treatments to Agoraphobia/Panic and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Combined treatment is more effective than either used alone. Some exposure is necessary for drugs to work, and combined treatment may prevent the high relapse rate seen when drugs alone are discontinued. Combined treatment shows the greatest advantage during initial months and does not interfere with the long-term benefits of behavior therapy. Useful drugs generally have serotonergic action and seem to display specific antipanic, antiphobic and antiobsessive effects. Drugs may work by facilitating habituation to anxiety during exposure treatment.