The majority of respondents indicated the chronicity
of the panic symptoms (57%), but also the
severity of the symptoms (36%), and how the
symptoms impaired the patient’s ability to function
at home or work (39%). Comorbid disorders such
as posttraumatic stress disorder (39%), and symptoms
such as the tendency to dissociate (39%) and a
history of fainting (16%) were barriers to successful
treatment.
barriers to treatment progress due
to other patient characteristics
Table 4 reports responses to a list of patient
characteristics that limit symptom reduction. Patients’
lack of adherence to treatment in the form of
inability to work between sessions (70%), unwillingness
to give up safety behaviors (for example,