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Social Adjustment in Panic-Agoraphobic Patients Reconsidered

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

G. Perugi
Affiliation:
Chair II, Institute of Clinical Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy
H. S. Akiskal
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of California at San Diego, USA
L. Musetti
Affiliation:
Chair II, Institute of Clinical Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy
E. Simonini
Affiliation:
Chair II, Institute of Clinical Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy
G. B. Cassano*
Affiliation:
Chair II, Institute of Clinical Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy
*
via Roma 67, 56100 Pisa, Italy

Abstract

Forty-eight depressed panic-agoraphobic patients - clinically matched for severity of depression with 35 primary chronic depressives - had significantly better adjustment in most areas of social functioning, especially those related to interpersonal contact, work, leisure activities, and sexual life. Even when depressed, panic-agoraphobic patients appear to possess sufficient interpersonal skills - that is, by leaning on significant others - to engage in a range of social activities, both at home and beyond. These data, which are open to different interpretations, nonetheless suggest that anxiety and mood disorders differently affect certain key areas of social adjustment.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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