A group of 50 outpatients with Panic Disorder were given the Serial Color-W
ord Test at the beginning of a standard pharmacological treatment (selectiv
e serotonin reuptake inhibitors and benzodiazepines). A single treating psy
chiatrist, blind to test results. judged therapy outcome at a 5-mo. follow-
up, Among the main types of adaptation to conflict assessed by the test (St
abilized, Cumulative, Dissociative, and Cumulative-Dissociative), the Stabi
lized pattern predicted a good therapy outcome. Response to therapy among t
he patients,vith a Stabilized pattern was judged as more often good and les
s often moderate or poor, compared with the members of the other three adap
tation classes (p=.004), and specifically with the patients resorting to a
Cumulative strategy (p=.005).