AN INVESTIGATION OF ANXIOUS THOUGHT IN PATIENTS WITH DSM-IV AGORAPHOBIA PANIC DISORDER - RATIONALE AND DESIGN

Psychoanalysis as a profession is in difficulty because changes in the mental health field have exposed vulnerabilities inherent in psychoan alytic traditions. In this setting, scientific outcome studies of psyc hoanalytic treatment are a necessity. To enable such studies, certain preliminary research is required. In particular, a set of reliable dia gnoses that recognize psychodynamic factors, in addition to ''descript ive'' criteria, must be developed. This paper outlines the rationale, significance, and design of a pilot study in the area of anxiety disor ders, agoraphobia in particular, intended to provide a basis for recat egorization of the currently predominant DSM system.