Perceptual defense mechanisms in Crohn's disease and Panic Disorder

Th defence organization of Crohn's disease and Panic Disorder was studied w ith a well-validated tachistoscopic paradigm, the Defense Mechanism Test. T hree sex- and age-matched groups of 31 subjects (Crohn, Panic, and Nonclini cal) were compared on the main codings of defence. Crohn patients were char acterized by stereotype and lack of recognition of the threat. The Panic gr oup presented clearly higher frequencies of protocols with repression, isol ation, and disappearance of the threat. Especially was the strongest varian t of isolation, barrier-isolation, typical of the defensive substructure of panic patients.