Cognitive processes in panic disorder: An extension of current models

Beck and Clark's 1997 information processing model of panic was presented a nd evaluated. In general, studies using the Stroop task have shown panic pa tients have a cognitive bias toward negative and personally relevant inform ation. Several studies have also shown that panic patients tend to have mor e catastrophic thoughts and are more likely to misinterpret bodily sensatio ns. Further, cognitive-behavioral therapy is more effective than drug thera pies. The limitations of the cognitive model and cognitive-behavioral thera py were discussed, and an extension of current models was proposed. The ext ension of current models combines cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic co ncepts and techniques and suggests that exposure in vivo used for agoraphob ic situations and interoceptive exposure used for panic should also be appl ied to the underlying themes of panic disorder.