Abstract

RODRIGUES, Maria Claudia et al. Discontinuation of benzodiazepine in panic disorder: case study. Rev. bras.ter. cogn. [online]. 2017, vol.13, n.2, pp. 147-154. ISSN 1808-5687.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5935/1808-5687.20170020.

Despite the effectiveness of the use of benzodiazepines (BZD) in the treatment of Panic Disorder (PD), its discontinuation process can be difficult. Anxious patients may associate the drug with a method of decreasing anxiety symptoms, perceiving it as a safeguard that protects them from possible threats. This case study aimed to report the discontinuation of the use of BZD as safety behavior in a patient with PD, through CBT. In the care of a patient, 28 years old, single, the Beck inventories for depression (BDI), anxiety (BAI) and hopelessness (BHS) were used. We conducted 30 structured sessions in the cognitive-behavioral approach. Treatment followed through cognitive restructuring, through the search for evidence, and gradual exposure in feared situations. As a result, during the treatment process, the patient presented discontinuation of BZD use and a significant improvement in its functionality, breaking the cycle of safety behavior, expanding its social repertoire and reducing anxiety symptoms, with the scores of all inventories have been reduced to zero. The use of CBT provided an important treatment for breaking the cycle of maintaining safety behavior and discontinuing the use of BZD.

Keywords : Cognitive Therapy; Panic Disorder; Benzodiazepine.

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