An Integrated Therapeutic Application Using Elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy in Treatment of Panic Disorder

Abstract

The commonly used protocol for the treatment of panic disorder has been the application of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). With the advent of third-wave psychotherapies such as acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), which focuses on experiential acceptance, there have been variations in the treatment of panic disorder. However, no case report has adopted an integrated treatment protocol using elements of CBT and MBCT. Here, we have presented a practical psychotherapy report of a 31-year-old woman who was treated over 16 sessions using such an integrated treatment protocol based on her personality and clinical profile. During the first phase of treatment, components of CBT were introduced to help her obtain firsthand evidence of her catastrophic misinterpretation of bodily sensations and to change her underlying threat schemas related to physical sensations. Aspects of MBCT were implemented in the intermediate phase to allow awareness and observation of her anxiety sensitivity, discourage immediate reactivity, and reduce overall catastrophizing tendencies. Moreover, MBCT also served to prevent relapse by enriching her overall quality of life by cultivating present-moment awareness through encouraging full engagement in experiences rather than being consumed by future-oriented concerns.