• Bergen 4-Day Treatment (B4DT) for panic disorder shows significant, sustained improvement up to 18 months after treatment.
• 90% of patients were classified as in remission 18 months after B4DT, with improvements in panic symptoms, depression, and general anxiety.
• B4DT condenses exposure therapy into four consecutive days, potentially offering advantages over traditional weekly therapy in terms of accessibility and treatment adherence.

The Bergen 4-Day Treatment (B4DT) is an innovative approach to treating panic disorder. Unlike traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), B4DT delivers concentrated exposure therapy over four consecutive days. Studies show that patients not only experience rapid relief but also continue to improve months after the treatment ends. The treatment involves small groups of patients working with an equal number of therapists, focusing on confronting situations and bodily sensations they typically avoid. B4DT has demonstrated promising results in reducing panic symptoms, comorbid depression, and general anxiety.

• What: The Bergen 4-Day Treatment (B4DT) is a concentrated exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for panic disorder, delivered over four consecutive days.
• Who: Developed by researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), led by Kristen Hagen, and administered to patients with panic disorder.
• When: Studies followed patients who received B4DT between October 2017 and January 2020, with follow-up assessments conducted at 3 months and 18 months post-treatment.
• Where: The treatment was administered at outpatient clinics in Norway's national public health care system, including rural clinical settings.

The B4DT approach presents a promising alternative to traditional, longer-term CBT for panic disorder. Its concentrated format appears to offer rapid relief and lasting benefits, including improvements in comorbid depression and anxiety. The significant reduction in panic symptoms and high remission rates at long-term follow-up suggest the potential for B4DT to improve the quality of life for individuals with panic disorder. The treatment's effectiveness in rural clinical settings further supports its broader applicability and accessibility. However, the studies acknowledge limitations, including small sample sizes and the lack of a control group, highlighting the need for further research with larger, randomized controlled trials to validate these findings.

The fact that patients get even better over time is simply remarkable.

The Bergen 4-Day Treatment (B4DT) shows substantial promise as a rapid and effective intervention for panic disorder. The evidence suggests that B4DT not only provides immediate relief but also leads to sustained improvements in panic symptoms, depression, and anxiety. While larger, controlled studies are needed to confirm these findings, the current research supports the potential of B4DT to transform the treatment of panic disorder and improve the lives of affected individuals.