Brief dynamic psychotherapy for patients presenting physical symptoms.
Ten outpatients who complained of physical symptoms, without organic pathology, were treated with brief dynamic psychotherapy. Outcome ratings were provided by independent assessors at the end of therapy and 2 years post treatment. Improvement criteria included symptoms, adaptive functioning, and specific internal predispositions. The results showed that most of the patients gained substantially from their therapy experiences. Change did not only occur with regard to psychological difficulties, but also in their particular physical symptoms. Therapy gains at termination were maintained, and had even increased, at follow-up. Clinical improvement was confirmed by psychological test findings. In several patients marked positive change was also observed in their general body response patterns.
Nielsen
G
G
Department of Clinical and Community Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway.
Barth
K
K
Haver
B
B
Havik
O E
OE
Mølstad
E
E
Rogge
H
H
Skåtun
M
M
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011575:Psychoanalytic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods*; D012803:Sick Role; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*