Don’t Panic Online. A randomised trial to the effects of an internet based self-help course for reducing panic symptoms. (WC2008-121)
Background
Starting date: 01/01/2009 Panic disorder (PD) yearly occurs in 1.4% of the Dutch population. Moreover, an estimated 1.8% shows sub-threshold panic symptoms and is at risk of developing full-blown PD.An effective way to treat sub-threshold and mild PD is web based self-help. Such self-help courses for PD exist in several countries, but not yet in the Netherlands. Geen Paniek Online (Don’t Panic Online) was recently developed to answer to that demand.
A common problem of web based self-help courses is the large percentage of drop-out. Recent evidence suggests a clear deadline, like a scheduled interview, could be sufficient support to motivate participants to finish their course.
The effectiveness of Don’t Panic Online will be investigated. Simultaneously we will look into the drop-out problem self-help courses are prone to.