AN EMPIRICAL-STUDY OF DEFENSE-MECHANISMS IN PANIC DISORDER

Psychodynamic factors have rarely been systematically studied in panic disorder, despite indications that these factors may be important in the understanding and treatment of panic. This is a report of a study using the Defense Mechanism Rating Scale to test the hypothesis that p atients with panic disorder utilize particular defense mechanisms: rea ction formation, undoing, and displacement. The use of defense mechani sms in 22 patients with primary panic disorder was compared with that of 22 patients with primary dysthymic disorder, based on Defense Mecha nism Rating Scale ratings of psychodynamic interviews of these patient s. Panic subjects scored significantly higher than dysthymics on the d efenses of reaction formation and undoing, but not on the defense of d isplacement. The defense mechanisms found are consistent with a propos ed psychodynamic formulation for panic disorder that emphasizes the pa nic patient's difficulty in tolerating angry feelings toward significa nt others. Knowledge of these defense mechanisms can be useful for var ious treatment approaches in panic disorder.