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Cognitive therapy of agoraphobia in reaction to physical illness: an uncontrolled study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Nagy R Bishay
Affiliation:
Dept. of Psychiatry, Park House, North Manchester General Hospital, Crumpsall, Manchester M8 6RL, England
Nicholas Tarrier
Affiliation:
Withington Hospital, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 8LR
Anthony P Roberts
Affiliation:
North Wales Hospital, Denbigh, Wales

Abstract

This study describes the uncontrolled treatment of six patients who developed an agoraphobia-like syndrome following physical illness. They all revealed danger-related cognitions associated with possible sequelae of their physical illness. Cognitive therapy based on realistic assessment of risks and a strategy to minimise them was associated with improvements that were maintained at six-month follow up. The study identifies the specificity of the danger-related cognitions and points to the need for further studies to assess the size of the problem, and the need for controlled trials to assess the outcome of the treatment.

Type
Brief Reports
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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