Table 2.

Advantages and disadvantages of pharmacotherapy and cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) in the treatment of panic disorder

	Pharmacotherapy	CBT
Side-effects	++	0
Rapid onset of action	++*	+
Efficacy on more severe panic attacks and anticipatory anxiety	++	+
Efficacy on phobic avoidance	+	++
Efficacy on severe depression	++§	+
Persistence of effect after stopping treatment	0	+
Use in primary care setting	++	0
Used by experienced therapist	+	++
Need to perform “homework” or to confront feared situations	0	++

^*Note: Particularly benzodiazepines

^§antidepressants.