Psychological well-being and residual symptoms in remitted patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia

BACKGROUND: Little is known about psychological well-being in remitted patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia and its interactions with residual symptoms. METHODS: Thirty patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia who displayed a successful response to exposure therapy, and 30 control subject matched for sociodemographic variables, were administered both observer-rated and self-rated scales for assessing residual symptoms and well-being. RESULTS: Patients had significantly more residual symptoms -- as assessed by the Clinical Interview for Depression (CID) and the Symptom Questionnaire (SQ) -- than controls. They also had significantly less environmental mastery, personal growth, purpose in life and self-acceptance -- as measured by the Psychological Well-being Scales (PWB) -- and less SQ physical well-being than controls. LIMITATION: The findings apply to patients with panic disorders who had been treated by behavioral methods and may be different in drug-treated subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that successful reduction of symptomatology in panic disorder cannot be equated to a pervasive recovery (encompassing psychological well-being) and may pave the way for sequential therapeutic strategies of more enduring quality.