[Family malediction in the background of panic disorder -- case report]

Psychiatr Hung. 2013;28(4):393-8.
[Article in Hungarian]

Abstract

The author reports the combined treatment with pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy of a patient suffering from recurrent panic disorder. Respected the patient's subjective aspects, at the beginning there was only supportive therapy supplemented with autogenic training. At this time the treatment was aimed at anxiety reducing directly. Later, when the panic disorder returned, the therapy was completed with shorter periods of cognitive behavioral therapy. During these sessions the patient learned that the underlying, hidden causes of her mental disorders could be revealed, understood and coped with, thereby more permanent periods without symptoms could be achieved. During the last sessions of the treatment the patient herself recognised the main cause of her recurrent panic disorder: it was a sentence she was told by her relatives when she was 18, which acted as a malediction-sentence. After the identification and modification of the dysfunctional attitudes and basic assumptions related to the malediction-sentence the patient had no panic symptoms anymore and she gradually stopped taking her medication. This case report demonstrates that the underlying, deep-rooted psychic cause of panic disorder can be revealed and understood and by this way permanent asymptomatic state can be achieved. This case also strengthens the common knowledge that panic disorder can be treated most successfully if pharmacotherapy is combined with psychotherapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alprazolam / administration & dosage
  • Alprazolam / adverse effects
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents / adverse effects
  • Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / administration & dosage
  • Anxiety / prevention & control
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • Anxiety / therapy*
  • Citalopram / administration & dosage
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy*
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Family / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Panic Disorder / drug therapy
  • Panic Disorder / psychology*
  • Panic Disorder / therapy*

Substances

  • Anti-Anxiety Agents
  • Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation
  • Citalopram
  • Alprazolam