Follow-up of the effectiveness of long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis 5 years after the end of psychoanalysis: Minor differences in psychiatric symptoms and work ability

Abstract

BackgroundPsychoanalysis (PA) has been suggested to yield further continued symptomatic and functional improvement after the end of treatment. MethodsPost-treatment work ability, psychiatric symptoms, and need for treatment were compared between PA and long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy during a five-year follow-up. The study sample consisted of 169 outpatients, suffering from long-standing mood or anxiety disorder. ResultsA slightly greater reduction in psychiatric symptoms and improvement in work ability were found in the PA group. LimitationsThis was a naturalistic study. ConclusionsPA may not be a standard treatment in a patient population like this.