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Cognitive-behavioural group treatment of panic attacks disorder: a description of the results obtained in a public mental health service

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 October 2011

Daniela Leveni*
Affiliation:
Azienda Ospedaliera Treviglio-Caravaggio, Unità Operativa Psichiatrica n. 14, Centro Psico Sociale di Zogno (Bergamo)
Damiano Mazzoleni
Affiliation:
Azienda Ospedaliera Treviglio-Caravaggio, Unità Operativa Psichiatrica n. 14, Centro Psico Sociale di Zogno (Bergamo)
Daniele Piacentini
Affiliation:
Azienda Ospedaliera Treviglio-Caravaggio, Unità Operativa Psichiatrica n. 14, Centro Psico Sociale di Zogno (Bergamo)
*
Indirizzo per la corrispondenza: Dr. D. Piacentini, Centro Psico Sociale, viale Martiri della Liberta 6, 24019 Zogno (Bergamo). Fax: +39-035-249.773

Summary

Objective - This article describes the short-term and at 6 months follow-up results of an intensive cognitive-behavioural group treatment on subjects affected by Panic Disorder with or without Agoraphobia (DSM IV criteria). Design and Setting - We studied a group of 22 subjects treated in the public Centro Psico Sociale of Zogno (Bergamo) and valuated them with self-rated instruments inherent the life satisfaction (SF/36) and symptoms and ament (PAAAS; MSPS, STAI-X1, STAI-X2). The results indicate significant improvements at the end of treatment and at a 6 months follow up. Conclusions - We are studying the long-term results with others follow up valuations. The most important result, anyway, is the demonstration that also in an Italian public mental health centre, as in many foreign countries, is possible to treat patients affected by Anxiety Disorders with effectual and relatively low cost tecniques and that is possible to introduce objective results indicators in the routinary clinical activity.

Riassunto

Scopo - In questo lavoro vengono presentati i risultati, a breve termine e dopo sei mesi di follow-up, ottenuti con un trattamento intensivo di tipo cognitivo-comportamentale di gruppo in soggetti affetti da Disturbo da Attacchi di Panico con o senza Agorafobia secondo i criteri del DSM IV. Disegno e Setting - I risultati si riferiscono ad un campione di 22 soggetti trattati presso il Centro Psico Sociale di Zogno (BG) e valutati attraverso strumenti obiettivi di autovalutazione, inerenti sia la soddisfazione di vita (SF/36) che l'and amento sintomatologico (PAAAS, MSPS, STAI-X1, STAI-X2). I dati ottenuti sono indicativi di significativi miglioramenti al termine del trattamento. Sono in corso ulteriori follow-up per valutare il mantenimento nel tempo dei risultati raggiunti. Conclusioni -Il risultato più importante appare comunque la dimostrazione che anche in un Servizio pubblico italiano di salute mentale, come in molti paesi esteri, è stato possibile trattare pazienti affetti da Disturbi d'Ansia con tecniche di dimostrata efficacia e relativamente a basso costo e soprattutto che è possibile introdurre nell'attività clinica routinaria indicatori obiettivi di esito.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1999

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