The cognitive model of panic and cognitive-behavioral therapy were eva
luated. It was argued that the cognitive model is not clear about the
definition of threat, and that panic is evoked by the fear of the diss
olution of the self. Furthermore, panic attacks will not lead to panic
disorder unless the individual is experiencing general anxiety and is
concerned with his/her physical or mental state. Controlled studies h
ave demonstrated that cognitive-behavioral therapy is superior to othe
r treatments for panic-85% of patients are panic-free at posttreatment
and improvements are maintained at follow-up. However, 26% of waiting
-list controls are also panic-free making the net percentage of panic-
free treated patients 59%. There is room for improvement in at least 5
0% of patients, and a substantial number of patients continue to take
medication and seek additional treatment. There is a need to determine
the essential components of cognitive-behavioral therapy. It was pred
icted that exposure will prove to be the most crucial component. Expos
ure to phobic situations and interoceptive cues should be extended to
the underlying causes of panic disorder, such as concerns with identit
y and dependency needs.