Cognitive and symptomatic effects of standardized behavioral therapy: Evaluation of an outpatient group therapy program

A standardized outpatient programme on the basis of cognitive behaviour the rapy for patients with anxiety disorders, depression and schizophrenia is d escribed and evaluated. It is investigated whether the expected decrease of symptoms is accompanied by,a reduction of cognitive conflict. A total of 5 9 subjects were administered the SCL-90-R as a generic measure of symptomat ology as well as disorder-specific measures and an instrument for the asses sment of personal conflict. Anxiety patients and depressives reported a sig nificant and stable reduction of their symptoms but only anxiety patients r evealed a distinct decrease of conflict. Persons with schizophrenia who had participated mainly for relapse prevention showed little effect as well on the symptomatic as on the cognitive level. It is concluded that depressive s need a more individualized therapeutic procedure and complementary rehabi litative measures are necessary for persons with schizophrenia.