PERSONALITY-DISORDERS AND PSYCHOSOCIAL CHANGES AFTER INTENSIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY - A PROSPECTIVE FOLLOW-UP-STUDY OF AN OUTPATIENT PSYCHOTHERAPYPROJECT, 5 YEARS AFTER END OF TREATMENT

This report presents the results of a 7-year prospective outcome study designed to examine the psychosocial changes during and after therapy among 25 outpatients suffering from personality disorders and psychos es. The therapeutic approach was based mainly on object relations theo ry and psychodynamic self-psychology, and focused in particular on aff ect consciousness, parental images, self-image and interpersonal relat ions. Twenty patients completed the form which measured psychosocial c hanges during therapy, and 21 persons participated at follow-up. The d ata show statistically significant changes in the capacity to tolerate intimate relationships and actually establish such relationships, imp roved quality of contact in relationships with friends, a general rais ing of socioeconomic status and reduced use of ordinary health and soc ial services. Both the global psychosocial outcome at follow-up as mea sured by HSRS and the general level of symptoms measured by SCL-90 sug gest that 76% of the sample had reached a level of psychosocial functi oning and adaptation that can be defined as ''no-caseness''.