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Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of PTSD with Comorbid Panic Attacks

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Abstract

Many individuals that experience traumatic events such as sexual and physical assault develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). More recently, research has indicated that a significant proportion of PTSD sufferers may also have comorbid panic attacks. Although there are several effective treatments that focus on alleviating PTSD symptoms, until now there were no treatments that focused on also treating comorbid panic attacks. Multiple channel exposure therapy (M-CET) is the first treatment developed to specifically treat comorbid PTSD and panic attacks. It is also unique in that it has been used to treat women who have multiple trauma histories as well as a wide range of different types of traumatic event exposure in a group format. This treatment is described in a session by session format and special considerations in implementing the treatment are discussed.

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Falsetti, S.A., Resnick, H.S. Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of PTSD with Comorbid Panic Attacks. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy 30, 163–179 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026522931013

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