A treatment developed in Bergen, Norway, is giving new hope to people suffering from panic disorder. The Bergen 4-Day Treatment (B4DT) offers fast relief—and now, new research shows the results last longer than expected and even improve over time.
What Is Panic Disorder?
Panic disorder is a mental health condition where a person experiences frequent and unexpected panic attacks. These attacks can cause intense fear, a racing heart, sweating, and trouble breathing. Many people with panic disorder start avoiding situations they fear might trigger another attack, which can limit their daily lives.
A Unique 4-Day Treatment
The Bergen 4-Day Treatment (B4DT) is a short but intense program. Instead of taking place over many weeks like traditional therapy, this method is completed in just four days.
Here’s how it works:
- Small groups of 3 to 6 patients meet with an equal number of trained therapists.
- Each patient receives personalized care.
- Patients are guided to face the situations they fear, rather than avoid them.
- The focus is on helping patients understand that the fear comes from panic disorder, not real danger.
- This technique teaches people to react differently to their symptoms and gain control over their fear.
Impressive Short-Term and Long-Term Results
Earlier research showed that nearly 90% of patients feel much better just one week after finishing the treatment. But researchers wanted to know: Do the results last?
According to two new studies published in BMC Psychiatry, the answer is yes—and the effects actually get stronger with time.
“With long-term follow-up, patients report that they feel even better than right after therapy,”
— Kristen Hagen, psychologist and project leader at NTNU
The new research also found that the therapy didn’t just reduce panic symptoms. It also helped ease general anxiety and depression.
Why This Matters
The success of B4DT is big news for people struggling with panic disorder. Many traditional treatments take months to show results, and not everyone improves. This four-day approach shows that short, focused therapy can lead to lasting improvements.
Patients who completed the B4DT method said they had fewer panic attacks, less fear, and were able to return to normal daily activities.
Next Steps for Research
Even though the results are promising, researchers say more work is needed. They hope to study larger groups of patients to confirm how well the treatment works for different people.
Still, the early findings suggest that B4DT could become an important tool in treating not just panic disorder, but other mental health conditions as well.
Conclusion
The Bergen 4-Day Treatment is changing how panic disorder is treated—quickly, effectively, and with lasting results. For people living in fear of their next panic attack, this fast-acting therapy could offer a fresh start.
