Therapie von Angst- und Zwangspatienten in der verhaltenstherapeutischen Praxis

Abstract

Therapy of Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Behavior Therapy Practice Introduction: The importance of exposure in the treatment of anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders is widely accepted. The present study investigates how therapists in German ambulatory care actually treat patients with anxiety disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorders. Material and Methods: For this purpose 138 medical and psychological psychotherapists (behavior therapy) were investigated by use of a self-constructed questionnaire. The questionnaire contained 85 closeended and half-open questions on the concrete proceeding in therapies for anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder especially regarding exposure. Data were analyzed descriptively. Results: 83.3% of the therapists used exposure therapy in the treatment of anxiety disorders, 79% used it in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorders. Mostly, therapists choose gradual exposure. Only sometimes they use exposure in vivo. Only a minority allows 2 hours or more for an exposure session or leaves their private practice for the exposure training.