This naturalistic study aimed to determine whether the initial degree of alexithymia can predict treatment outcome of psychodynamically oriented multimodal therapy. The Toronto Alexithymia Scale-26, the Global Severity Index (GSI), and the Depression subscale of the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised were administered at hospital admission and at discharge to 480 inpatients with various psychological disorders. GSI and depressive symptoms decreased significantly during treatment. High initial alexithymia total scores significantly predicted treatment outcome, especially in patients with somatoform disorders. Difficulties in verbalizing feelings had the strongest association with less favourable symptom improvement. Although significant, the predictive values were relatively small, and patients with alexithymia indeed benefited from therapy. Implications of these results are discussed for the specificity of disorders and therapeutic approach.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10503300902870554DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

outcome psychodynamically
8
psychodynamically oriented
8
treatment outcome
8
alexithymia
5
alexithymia predictor
4
predictor outcome
4
oriented inpatient
4
treatment
4
inpatient treatment
4
treatment naturalistic
4

Similar Publications

A number of studies have shown an association between therapist skills (particularly insight skills) and the working alliance, but few studies have examined the directionality of this relationship. In addition, studies have used either the client or therapist report of the working alliance rather than a perspective. Thus, we examined whether (a) dyadic insight skills are indirectly related to client outcome through the working alliance and (b) the dyadic working alliance is indirectly related to client outcome through insight skills.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A Pilot Study for an Interactive Activity Educating First-Year Medical Students on How (Not What) to Prescribe.

Am J Psychother

January 2025

Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine, Quinnipiac University, North Haven, Connecticut (O'Connell); Austen Riggs Center, Stockbridge, Massachusetts (Mintz).

Objective: Pharmacotherapy outcomes may be influenced as much by psychosocial factors as by medication. Comprehensive discussion of such factors may contribute to better patient outcomes and may counter aspects of a curriculum that prioritizes efficiency and that has the potential to undermine clinician empathy. This pilot study aimed to explore the benefits of teaching psychosocial aspects of prescribing and student acceptance of such teaching.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) has been described as a condition of intolerance of aloneness. This characteristic drives distinguishing criteria, such as frantic efforts to avoid abandonment. Both BPD and loneliness are linked with elevated mortality risk and multiple negative health outcomes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Concerns over the process and outcomes of the review by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists into long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Aust N Z J Psychiatry

January 2025

Academic Department of Psychiatry, Kolling Institute, Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!