Panic Disorder Studies

Our Treatment Program

If you are currently suffering from Panic Disorder, You may be eligible for treatment at no cost to you by participating in our study. Please read on to find out more about our study and how you may be able to participate.

Participation Criteria

• You must be between 18 and 70 years of age
• You must meet diagnostic criteria for Panic Disorder as determined by our assessors

Overview of Treatment (click a link below to jump to that section)

• Phone Screening
• Initial Diagnostic Interview
• Panic Tracking Period
• Treatment Period
• Follow-Up Period

Phone Screening:

The first step in our study is to contact us and let us know that you are interested (see "Contact Us" section).  One of our research assistants will then briefly interview you over the phone in order to determine if the study may be right for you. You will be asked about symptoms of Panic Disorder, symptoms of other mental health problems, and your past treatment history.  If participation in our study seems like a good match for your needs, then an appointment will be scheduled, usually within the next week.

Initial Diagnostic Interview:

Prior to participation in the study, you will undergo an extensive in-person evaluation conducted by one of our highly-trained diagnostic assessors.  This evaluation involves a comprehensive diagnostic interview as well as the completion of several surveys.  Your symptoms of Panic Disorder and other important mental health concerns will be assessed. 

Panic Tracking Period:

Following the successful completion of the Diagnostic Interview, you will be given forms to help you keep track of your panic attacks.  We ask that you fill these out every day for three weeks prior to beginning treatment.  This is important, as not everyone experiences panic attacks in the same way, and understanding these differences will eventually lead to better treatments.

At the time you are given the panic attack forms, you will also be randomly assigned to one of three talk-therapy treatments, all of which have been previously shown to be helpful for people with Panic Disorder:

• Panic Focused Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Applied Relaxation Training

You will be randomly assigned (like flipping a coin) to one of these treatments in a ratio of 2:2:1.  This means that you will be twice as likely to receive the first two treatments as you will be to receive the third.  

Treatment Period:

At the end of the three weeks, you will begin therapy.  All of our therapists are highly trained and licensed mental health professionals with a great deal of experience in treating Panic Disorder.  You will meet with your therapist twice a week.  Each session will be 45 minutes long, and treatment lasts a total of 12 weeks. Each of the three types of treatment has a slightly different approach to overcoming Panic Disorder:

• Panic-Focused Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
  In this type of therapy, you and the therapist will focus on exploring the underlying emotional meanings of panic attacks. 
  
  
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  In this treatment, you and your therapist will identify and change beliefs and behaviors that are likely to contribute to Panic Disorder.
  
  
• Applied Relaxation Training
  In this treatment, your therapist will teach you how to use relaxation techniques in order to combat anxiety symptoms before they reach the level of a panic attack.

Follow-Up Period:

At the end of the treatment period, your progress will be assessed by an in-person interview.  Once a month for the next twelve months, you will have a phone interview and complete questionnaires in order to track your progress. During the sixth month and twelfth month, however, you will not have phone interviews.  Instead, you will have in-person diagnostic interviews and will also complete questionnaires.  You will be paid $20 at the end of each monthly session, and you will be paid $100 after the total completion of the study (i.e., completing all of the monthly assessments).

Contact Us

If this study sounds right for you, please contact us by email, or call us at
215-662-2837 to set up a screening. We are open 9am - 5pm, Monday thru Friday.

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