Sixty-two agoraphobic patient who had completed a controlled study of
therapist-assisted in vivo exposure (flooding) and imipramine were assessed
1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years later. Overall, improvement during
treatment was maintained throughout follow-up. At 1 month but not
subsequently, imipramine and flooding had significant effects on central
measures of agoraphobia. Patients who were marked treatment responders had
a favorable clinical course and did not experience secondary depression,
unlike patients who had not responded markedly to treatment. These findings
suggest that treatments which evoke maximum therapeutic benefit initially
are likely to foster long- term maintenance and reduce subsequent
depressive sequelae.Abstract Teaser