Merging the Cognitive Behavioral and Psychopharmacological Paradigms in Comparative Studies: Controversies, Issues, and Some Solutions

In the past, many studies attempting to compare pharmacological and psychosocial treatments for mood and anxiety disorders have been conducted by partisans of either approach. More recently, rigorously conducted, unbiased comparative studies have begun to appear. Here we reviewed our own experience in designing and conducting a multicenter study comparing medication and cognitive behavioral therapy and their combination for the treatment of panic disorder.