Abstract Introduction The social distancing (SD) adopted during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has transformed the internet from a convenience into a necessity. The behavioral changes caused by isolation range from adaptation of consumption, work, and teaching routines to altered leisure options to occupy idle time at home. Such transformations can be positive, expanding use of digital technologies (DT), but they can also have serious future physical and emotional consequences if there conscious use of technological devices is lacking. Objectives The study aimed to validate the Behavioral Changes Scale on the Use of Digital Technologies During Social Distancing (BCSDTSD), an instrument for assessing behavioral changes related to use of DT during SD. Method Validation of the BCSDTSD in five phases: 1. construction of an initial scale with 10 questions; 2. evaluation of the questions by a panel of experts; 3. application to 1,012 volunteers via the internet; 4. statistical analysis of the results; and 5. preparation of the validated final version of the BCSDTSD. Data were analyzed using the dplyr, psy , and paran packages and the REdaS statistical program. Three statistical criteria were used in the factor analysis (FA). Results FA confirmed that all 10 questions in the questionnaire should be maintained, confirming its robust construction, and Cronbach’s alpha demonstrated its internal consistency with a value of 0.725, which is satisfactory for first-application questionnaires. Conclusion The BCSDTSD instrument was validated for assessment of behavioral changes related to the use of DT during SD.

BACKGROUND: The evolution of technologies and mobility, new digital resources have emerged transforming human behavior. These include the abusive use of digital devices, leading to various dependences regarding the way people use technology. Collective environments also begin to exhibit symptoms of such dependences. OBJECTIVE: Validate a Digital Dependence of Employees Scale (DDES), applied to personnel not holding leadership positions in organizations. METHOD: Data were collected via Internet. The sample totaled 301 volunteers from a state-owned company, of which 294 were statistically validated. Participants were asked to answer 20 questions prepared by experts. After the collection procedure, a database was created for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Statistical analysis procedure including factorial analysis was conducted, which confirmed data adequacy. Three statistical criteria were used: Bartlett Sphericity test, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Criterion and Factorial analysis, including Screeplot; the latter determined adequate commonalities, indicating the cancellation of only 1 out of the 20 original scale questions. The internal consistency of the scale measured through the Cronbach Alpha Coefficient showed a positive result of 0.764. Thus, scale validation objectives were achieved. CONCLUSION: The DDES scale was considered validated to be applied to employees in organizational environments. The limitations found to apply the scale did not compromise its results.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND INFORMATION: One of the most popular social networks is WhatsApp. Abusive use of this tool has produced significant changes in behavioral and social behaviors and habits of individuals. Therefore, research is needed to allow us to specifically evaluate the interaction of WhatsApp with the daily lives of individuals. OBJECTIVE: Production and validation of a scale to evaluate WhatsApp dependence (WADS). METHODS: Validation performed in 5 phases: 1- initial scale construction with 20 questions, 2- expert evaluation, 3- application in volunteers, 4- statistical analysis and results, and 5- elaboration of the final version of the validated WADS. RESULTS: We obtained a descriptive statistical analysis, a clear-cut separation of dependents vs. non-dependents and a successful factorial analysis. These results provided a validated version of WADS. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to construct a final version of WADS adequate to clinical contexts and to be used in future research to evaluate dependence of this digital tool. WADS will contribute to the conscious use of WhatsApp, hopefully reducing harmful effects and improving quality of life.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Facebook is a social network that has become part of the everyday life of contemporary humanity and is notably the most accessed digital tool, worldwide; through it, one can simultaneously relate to millions of people, as a source of information, communication or entertainment. OBJECTIVE: To produce and validate a scale to evaluate Facebook dependence (FDS). METHOD: Validation was performed in 5 phases: 1- initial scale construction with 20 questions, 2- expert evaluation, 3- application in 200 volunteers, 4- statistical analysis and results, and 5- elaboration of the final 18-question validated version of FDS. RESULTS: We obtained a descriptive statistical analysis, a clear-cut separation of dependents vs. non-dependents and a successful factorial analysis. These results provided a validated version of FDS. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to construct the validated final version of FDS with 18 questions appropriate to the clinical contexts and to be used in conducting research on Facebook dependence. This scale will contribute to future research related to this specific digital dependence, hopefully reducing harmful effects and improving quality of life.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: New computer technologies, namely smart cellphones and tablets, among others, interacting along the daily life of individuals may contribute toward the rise of problems: depression, stress and physical damage (undue postures, upper and lower extremity disorders, vision problems, obesity), all of them related to excessive time spent on technological equipment; together with inadequate furniture, quality of life can be seriously affected. OBJECTIVE: To validate a scale to evaluate physical damage related to the Abusive Use of Technology (PDAUTS) in daily life. METHODS: Validation of the PDAUTS was performed through 5 phases: (1) initial scale construction with 20 questions; (2) expert evaluation of questions; (3) application to 200 volunteers; (4) statistical analysis of the results; (5) preparation of the final validated version, retaining the 20 questions. RESULTS: We used the R statistical program, version 3.4.2 and the “dplyr” package to present the descriptive statistics, the hypothesis tests of mean differences and the factor analysis. The results provided a validated final version for PDAUTS. The last step of the study was to calculate Cronbach’s alpha parameter, in order to measure the internal consistency of the scale. The value found was 0.897, which in is considered very good. CONCLUSION: The validated PDAUTS allowed us to evaluate physical damage in each subject and design adequate training and treatment programs, reducing overall impairments and contributing to the improvement in quality of life.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The boundary between cellphone use and abuse is quite tenuous. Research is required to evaluate the use of this device interacting in the everyday life of users, whether to speak or to perform tasks. OBJECTIVE: To construct a novel and specific scale to evaluate cellphone dependence checking its psychometric properties for clarity, accuracy and reliability. METHODS: Validation of a Cellphone Dependence Scale (CPDS) was performed in 5 phases: 1- initial scale construction with 20 questions, 2- expert evaluation, 3- application to 200 volunteers, 4- statistical analysis and results, and 5- elaboration of the final version of the CPDS. RESULTS: We used the R statistical program Version 3.4.2 and the “dplyr” package to present the descriptive statistics, the hypotheses tests of differences of means and the factorial analysis. The results provided a validated and accepted final version for CPDS. The last step of the study was to calculate Cronbach’s alpha, in order to measure the internal consistency of the questionnaire. The value found was 0.897, which is considered very good. CONCLUSIONS: This project resulted in the construction of the final CPDS version suitable for the clinical context and to be used in the conduct of research on cellphone dependence. CPDS may contribute to future studies, conscious use of cellphones, harm reduction, and improved quality of life vis-à-vis the cellphone.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The daily coexistence with the technologies (computer, mobile phone, tablet, among others), begins to produce significant changes in human behavior. We have observed that there is an association between dependence on technologies and major depressive disorder, as well as with other mental disorders. OBJECTIVE: To validate a scale for assessing depression and its relation to dependence on everyday technologies. METHODS: Validation of a Technology Dependent Depression Scale (TDDS) was performed in 5 phases: (1) initial scale construction with 20 questions; (2) expert evaluation; (3) application to 100 volunteers, (4) statistical analysis and results, (5) preparation of the final version of the validated TDDS. RESULTS: We used the R statistical program, version 3.4.2 and the “dplyr” package to present descriptive statistics, hypotheses tests of mean differences and factorial analysis. The results provided a validated and approved final version for TDDS. CONCLUSIONS: We constructed the final version of the validated TDDS, which is adequate for clinical contexts and to be used in future research. All the psychometric properties were checked for accuracy, reliability, presentation, clarity, pertinence and comprehension of the instrument conferring validity to the end-product.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Daily, prolonged interactivity of individuals with technologies (computer, cell phone, tablet, among others) impacts life and significantly changes habits, behaviors, personal and social relationships. Technologies lead to a multitude of advantages, but attention is required concerning possible damages. OBJECTIVE: Validation of a scale to evaluate the abuse use of technologies (TAUS). METHOD: TAUS validation was carried out in 5 phases: (1) initial scale construction with 20 questions, (2) expert evaluation, (3) application to 200 volunteers, (4) statistical analysis and results, (5) preparation of the final version of the validated TAUS. We used the R statistical program and the “dplyr” package version 3.4.2 to present descriptive statistics, to test hypotheses of means differences and for factorial analysis. Factor analysis was used for the orthogonal model. The method used was Principal Components based on Spearman’s correlation matrix. RESULTS: The results provided a final, validated version of a TAUS suitable for clinical and research contexts. The last step of the study was to calculate Cronbach’s alpha, in order to measure the internal consistency of the scale. The value found was 0.910, which is considered good. CONCLUSIONS: This Technology Abuse Scale may contribute to future studies, to the conscious use of technologies, to a reduction of physical and emotional damage and to an improvement of the subjects’ quality of life.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Digital game or video game disorders have been recently (June 2018) included in ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases) by the World Health Organization (WHO). The disorder can occur with or without an internet connection. OBJECTIVE: Validation of a scale to evaluate the dependence of pathological digital game (PDGD). METHOD: Validation of the PDGD was performed in 5 phases: (1) initial scale construction with 20 questions, (2) expert assessment, (3) application to 200 volunteers, (4) statistical analysis and production of results using statistical programs, (5) elaboration of the final validated scale. RESULTS: We used the R statistical program Version 3.4.2 and the “dplyr” package to present the descriptive statistics, the hypotheses tests of differences of means and the factorial analysis. The last step was to calculate Cronbach’s alpha, in order to measure the internal consistency of the questionnaire. The value found was 0.955, which is very good. CONCLUSIONS: This research allowed us to construct a final version of the PDGD suitable for the clinical contexts and usable in research on the dependence of digital games. This scale may contribute to future studies, conscious use of technologies, reduction of physical and emotional damage and improvement of the quality of life.

OBJETIVO: Investigar a eficácia de tratamento para dependência de internet e transtornos de ansiedade, utilizando terapia cognitivo comportamental combinada com medicação, e analisar a relação entre ansiedade e dependência de internet. MÉTODO: Ensaio clínico aberto realizado no Laboratório de Pânico e Respiração no Instituto de Psiquiatria da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ) com 84 pacientes (42 do grupo com comorbidades e 42 do grupo sem comorbidades) que procuravam tratamento para transtornos de ansiedade e/ou dependência de internet. Os sujeitos responderam ao MINI Entrevista Neuropsiquiátrica Internacional 5.0; a Escala Hamilton de Ansiedade (HAM-A), a Escala Hamilton de Depressão (HDRS), a Escala Clínica de Impressão Global de Severidade e de Melhora (CGI-S e CGI-I) e a Escala de Dependência de Internet de Young (IAT). Os pacientes com apenas dependência de internet receberam psicoeducação sobre o uso consciente da internet e biblioterapia, e foram considerados o grupo sem comorbidades, enquanto que, os pacientes com transtornos de ansiedade e dependência de internet foram encaminhados para o tratamento medicamentoso e psicoterapia. RESULTADOS: Tanto a dependência de internet quanto a ansiedade diminuíram após o tratamento, a média da HAM-A no grupo com comorbidades no início foi de 33,9 ± 7,6, sugerindo ansiedade grave e ao final do tratamento foi de 15 ± 5,1, sugerindo uma significativa melhora. A media de dependência de internet obtida na IAT no início do tratamento foi de 67.8 ± 9.0 e ao final da psicoterapia a maioria dos participantes apresentou média de 37.7 ± 11.4 indicando uma melhora notável. CONCLUSÃO: A relação entre ansiedade e dependência de internet existe e é forte.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of a treatment for Internet addiction and anxiety disorders, using cognitive behavioral therapy combined with medication, and to analyze the relationship between anxiety and Internet addiction. METHOD: An open clinical trial included 84 patients (42 in the "comorbidities" group; 42 in the "no comorbidities" group) seeking treatment for anxiety symptoms and/or Internet Addiction. The subjects responded to The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview 5.0; the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), the Hamilton Depression Scale (HDRS), Clinical Global Impressions Severity and Improvement (CGI-S and CGI-I) and the Young Internet Addiction Scale (IAT). Patients who had only Internet addiction received psychoeducation on conscious internet use and bibliotherapy; they were defined as the group without comorbidities; patients diagnosed with Internet addiction and anxiety disorder (the group with comorbidities) were forwarded for pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. RESULTS: Both Internet Addiction and anxiety decreased after treatment; the average of Hamilton Anxiety Scale of the "comorbidities" group at the beginning was 33.9 ± 7.6, suggesting severe anxiety, and at the end of treatment it was 15.0 ± 5.1, suggesting mild anxiety and a significant improvement. The average Internet Addiction score at the beginning was 67.8 ± 9.0; at the end of the psychotherapy an average score of 37.7 ± 11.4 was registered, indicating a notable and highly significant improvement. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between anxiety and Internet Addiction existed and was strong. Treatment significantly improved both.

INTRODUÇÃO: O Facebook é a rede social mais amplamente acessada do mundo, onde milhões de pessoas se comunicam entre si. As alterações comportamentais e psicológicos relacionadas com seu uso abusivo e excessivo estão criando sérios impactos sobre a vida dos usuários. MÉTODO: Uma revisão sistemática foi feita através das bases de dados Medline, Lilacs, SciELO e Cochrane usando os termos: "Facebook Addiction," "Social Network Sites," "Facebook Abuse.". A pesquisa abrangeu os últimos 5 anos até janeiro de 2015. Os artigos que examinam a dependência do Facebook na população em geral foram incluídos; analisamos como esse conceito evoluiu ao longo dos últimos cinco anos, e espera-se contribuir para o melhor entendimento da questão e seus impactos. RESULTADOS: Apesar de controversos, relatórios publicados correlacionam a dependência de Facebook a mecanismos de recompensa e gratificação. Alguns usuários desenvolveram um relacionamento abusivo estimulados pela falsa sensação de satisfação ou como uma maneira de se sentir melhor ou mais auto-confiante (aumento do nível de excitação ou fuga). Estudos de vários países indicam prevalência diferente, provavelmente devido à falta de consenso e ao uso de diferentes denominações, dando origem à adopção de critérios de diagnóstico diferentes. CONCLUSÃO: As redes sociais são ferramentas de comunicação modernas; existem inúmeros benefícios, mas também deve ser monitorado os danos subseqüentes causados por seu uso abusivo. Muitos usuários com o uso abusivo ou dependente declaram perdas significativas em suas vidas pessoais, profissionais, acadêmicos, sociais e familiares. É necessária uma investigação mais profunda para determinar se o uso abusivo do Facebook é uma nova classificação psiquiátrica ou meramente o substrato de outros transtornos.

INTRODUCTION: Facebook is the world's most widely accessed social network, where millions of people intercommunicate. Behavioral and psychological changes relate to abusive and uncontrolled use creating severe impacts on users' life. METHOD: A critical revision was performed through MedLine, Lilacs, SciELO and Cochrane databases using the terms: "Facebook Addiction," "Social Network Sites," "Facebook Abuse." The search covered the past 5 years up to January 2015. Articles that examine dependence on Facebook in the general population were included; we analyzed how this concept evolved over the last five years, and hope to contribute to the better understanding of the issue and its impacts. RESULTS: Although controversial, published reports correlate Facebook addiction to mechanisms of reward and gratification. Some users developed an abusive relationship stimulated by the false feeling of satisfaction or as a way to feel better or more self-assured (increased level of excitement or escape). Studies from several countries indicate different prevalence, probably due to lack of consensus, and the use of different denominations, giving rise to the adoption of different diagnostic criteria. CONCLUSION: Social Networks are modern communication tools; however, not only benefits, but also subsequent damage caused by its abusive use must be monitored. Many users with abusive usage and dependence recognize significant losses in their personal, professional, academic, social and family lives. Further investigation is needed to determine if abusive Facebook usage is a new psychiatric classification or merely the substrate of other disorders.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: A terapia cognitivo-comportamental basea-se em técnicas cognitivas e comportamentais: educacao cognitiva psicológica, reestruturação cognitiva, exposição interoceptiva, exercícios de respiração e relaxamento, tudo visando a mudanças de comportamento. O objetivo do estudo foi demonstrar a eficácia de um modelo específico de terapia cognitivo-comportamental para pacientes ambulatoriais alcoólicos no tratamento do tabagismo. MÉTODO: As sessões foram realizados em duas etapas; (1) estágio "parar de fumar" com duração de quatro semanas, com 3 sessões/semana; (2) fase de manutenção começando com 2 semanas de uma túnica sessão semanal, seguido por sessões mensais até o final do tratamento de um ano. RESULTADOS: Quarenta pacientes participaram deste estudo, 22 homens e 18 mulheres. Após um ano de tratamento, 24 pacientes haviam parado de fumar, enquanto 16 apresentaram recaída durante o decorrer do ano; dois abandonaram o tratamento. As mulheres apresentaram melhores resultados: 77.8% pararam de fumar no final do tratamento, mas apenas 45.4% dos homens atingiram essa meta. CONCLUSÃO: A maioria de um grupo de pacientes incluídos num tratamento para o alcoolismo e submetidos ao programa de tratamento do tabaco atingiu o objetivo do tratamento, e abandonou o tabagismo. Uma população crescente de alcoólatras e fumantes está procurando tratamento; isso aponta para a necessidade de um programa de tratamento de acompanhamento para fumar em uma Unidade de Tratamento de Alcoolismo. A terapia comportamental cognitiva mostrou-se eficaz no tratamento da dependência ao tabaco, principalmente em mulheres.

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a therapy based on cognitive and behavioral techniques: cognitive psychological education, cognitive restructuring, interoceptive exposure, breathing exercises and relaxation, all aiming at behavioral changes. The objective of the study was to determine the effectiveness of a specific model of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for alcoholic outpatients in the treatment of smoking. METHOD: Sessions were carried out in two stages: (1) a “stop smoking” stage lasting four weeks, with 3 sessions/ week; (2) a maintenance stage beginning with 2 weeks of a single weekly session, followed by monthly sessions until the end of the one-year treatment. RESULTS: Forty patients participated in this study, 22 men and 18 women. After a year of treatment, 24 patients had stopped smoking, whereas 16 relapsed during the course of the year; two abandoned treatment. Women showed better results: 77.8% stopped smoking by the end of the treatment, but only 45.4% of the men reached this goal. CONCLUSION: Patients under treatment for alcoholism submitted to the tobacco treatment program; a majority of them achieved the treatment goal. A growing population of alcoholics and smokers are looking for treatment; this points to the need for a follow-up treatment program for smoking in an Alcoholism Treatment Unit. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy proved to be effective in the treatment of tobacco dependency mainly in women.

RESUMO: OBJETIVOS: Mentes racionais fazem conexões lógicas entre causa e efeito, ao passo que as mentes emocionais não fazem tais distinções, seguindo uma lógica instintiva. Este artigo investiga a memória emocional episódica em pacientes com transtorno de pânico com agorafobia, em comparação com um grupo controle. MÉTODO: Sessenta voluntários, 30 pacientes com transtorno do pânico com agorafobia e 30 controles saudáveis foram expostos ao mesmo slide-show de 11 slides, mas narrados aleatoriamente em duas versões diferentes: uma narrativa emocional e uma neutra. Cada grupo de 30 participantes foi subdividido aleatoriamente em dois subgrupos de 15; cada subgrupo de pacientes e controles foi exposta à narrativa emocional ou à neutra. Uma semana depois, os pacientes e os controles voltaram para responder questionários sobre os slides e respectivas histórias narradas. RESULTADOS: Pacientes com transtorno de pânico expostos ao conteúdo emocional da história exibiram memória emocional significativamente aumentada, fato evidenciado por uma melhor lembrança da narração emocional quando comparados aos pacientes expostos à versão neutra. Comparados aos controles, pacientes com transtorno de pânico apresentaram maior discrepância entre as narrativas emocional e neutra. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados mostraram que os pacientes com transtorno de pânico foram afetados significativamente pelo conteúdo da versão emocional da história, no que diz respeito à sua memória emocional. O mesmo não foi observado para o grupo de controle exposto à mesma versão emocional da história. Conclui-se que as características da condição transtorno do pânico tiveram influência na memória emocional.

OBJECTIVES: Rational minds make logical connections between cause and effect, whereas emotional minds make no such distinctions, following instinctive logic. This paper investigates episodic emotional memory in patients with panic disorder with agoraphobia in comparison to a control group. METHOD: Sixty volunteers, 30 patients with panic disorder with agoraphobia and 30 healthy controls were exposed to the same slideshow of 11 slides, but randomly exposed to two different narrated versions, namely one emotional and one neutral. Each group of 30 participants was randomly subdivided into two subgroups of 15; each subgroup of patients and controls was exposed either to the emotional or to the neutral narrative. One week later patients and controls returned to answer questionnaires about the slides and respective narrated stories. RESULTS: Panic disorder patients exposed to the emotional content of the story showed a significantly enhanced emotional memory, evidenced by a better recollection of the emotional narration when compared to patients exposed to the neutral version. Compared to controls, panic disorder patients exhibited greater discrepancy between the emotional versus the neutral narrative. CONCLUSION: Results showed that the panic disorder patients were significantly impacted by the content of the emotional version of the story, with respect to their emotional memory; the same was not observed for the control group exposed to the same emotional version of the story. We conclude that the characteristics of the panic disorder condition had an influence on emotional memory.

OBJETIVO: verificar a resposta dos pacientes com transtorno de pânico com agorafobia à modelo proposto de terapia cognitivo-comportamental (TCC) nos dois subtipos respiratórios de transtorno de pânico: o subtipo respiratório (SR) e subtipo não respiratório (SNR) Amostra randomizada por sorteio com 50 pacientes diagnosticados segundo o Manual Diagnóstico e Estatístico dos Transtornos Mentais. A medicação: antidepressivos tricíclicos ou inibidores seletivos de recaptação da serotonina. Setenta e sete ponto seis porcento da amostra de pacientes de ambos os grupos apresentaram o SR e 22,4 % o SNR. Os pacientes do SR, responderam satisfatoriamente ao tratamento com técnicas da TCC, reduzindo ansiedade, sintomas respiratórios e os ataques de pânico. Os pacientes do SR melhoraram, segundo a escala de avaliação global do funcionamento, de 55,8 para 70,9 em comparação com o SNR.

The objective of the present study was to verify the response of patients with panic disorder (agoraphobia) to existing cognitive-behavior therapy models (CBT) of two respiratory subtypes of panic disorder (PD): respiratory subtype (RS) and non respiratory subtype (NRS). We randomly selected a sample of 50 patients diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The medication used was tricycle or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants. Seventy-seven point six percent of the patients from both groups showed RS and 22.4% the NRS. The RS patients responded satisfactorily to the treatment with techniques of CBT decreasing anxiety, breathing symptoms and panic attacks. According to the global functioning assessment scale, RS patients improved from 55.8 to 70.9 in comparison with NRS ones.

Objetivo: O estudo com terapia cognitivo-comportamental (TCC) procurou demonstrar a preparação do paciente com transtorno do pânico para exposições agorafóbicas. Foram usadas as técnicas das exposições interoceptivas, às próprias sensações corporais, e in vivo, a locais ou situações temidas. Metodologia: 50 indivíduos, divididos em dois grupos de 25 participantes cada um. O grupo 1 realizou 10 sessões de TCC semanais e individuais com uma hora de duração e fez uso de medicamentos e o grupo 2, controle, usou apenas medicação sem TCC. A medicação prescrita consistiu em antidepres sivos tricíclicos e inibidores seletivos de recaptação da serotonina. Foram aplicados instrumentos de avaliação no início e ao fim das intervenções médica e psicológica. Resultados: Observamos uma diferença significativa entre a avaliação inicial e final no grupo 1, como: redução nos ataques de pânico, ansiedade antecipatória, esquiva agorafobia e medo das sensações corporais. Na escala de avaliação global do funcionamento, um aumento do bem-estar global de 60.8% a 72.5% entre pacientes do grupo 1 com terapia, diferentemente do grupo 2 sem terapia. Conclusões: As técnicas de TCC para as exposições foram consideradas essenciais na preparação dos pacientes com transtorno de pânico, para enfrentarem os ataques de pânico e as situações agorafóbicas subseqüentes.

Objective: This study in cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) was to demonstrate the preparation of the patient with panic disorder for agoraphobic exposures. Techniques have been used for exhibitions interceptive their own bodily sensations and in vivo exposure to feared situations or places. Methodology: 50 individuals divided in two Groups of 25 participants each one. Group 1 undertook 10 weekly, individual sessions of CBT of one hour duration with use of medication. Group 2, control, only used medication without CBT. The medication prescribed consisted of tricyclic anti-depressants and selective inhibitors of the re-uptake of serotonin. At the beginning and at the end of the medical and psychological interventions evaluation instruments were applied. Results: We observed a significant difference between baseline and final in a group 1, such as: reduction in panic attacks, anticipatory anxiety, agoraphobia avoidance and fear of bodily sensations. In the global assessment of functioning scale, an increase in the overall well-being of 60.8% to 72.5% among patients in group 1 with therapy, unlike the second group 2 without therapy. Conclusion: The procedures used for exposures, were considered essential in the preparation of patients with panic disorder, to be able to face up to panic attacks and subsequent agoraphobic situations.