Exclusive, conflict-centered treatment or integration: different mechanisms of change in panic and agoraphobia by client-centered therapy alone and in combination with behavioral exposure
L. Teusch et al., Exclusive, conflict-centered treatment or integration: different mechanisms of change in panic and agoraphobia by client-centered therapy alone and in combination with behavioral exposure, NERVENARZT, 72(1), 2001, pp. 31-39
The mechanisms of change due to different psychotherapeutic treatments of a
nxiety disorders are the subject of the present study, Sixty-eight patients
with agoraphobia and panic (DSM III R No. 300.21,ICD 10 No. F 40.01) were
included, exclusively treated with client-centered treatment (n=28) or with
additional behavioral exposure treatment (n=40) in an inpatient setting. T
he patients were examined on admission, at discharge, and at 6 and 12 month
s follow-ups with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM III R(SKID),the
Freiburg Personality Inventory (FPI R),and the Giessen Test (GIESS). Both
treatment modalities significantly reduced panic and avoidance. Differences
were found in personality scales. The support of autonomy was superior by
client-centered treatment alone: client-centered treated (CCT) patients fel
t less dependent on the expectations of others, less under stress, and had
fewer psychosomatic complaints. Patients with additional exposure treatment
feel accepted by their social environment earlier. The results are discuss
ed with regard to open questions of therapy integration and different mecha
nisms of change.