Comparison of brief dynamic and cognitive-behavioural therapies in avoidant personality disorder

Br J Psychiatry. 2006 Jul:189:60-4. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.105.012153.

Abstract

Background: There is a paucity of controlled trials examining the effectiveness of individual psychotherapy in personality disorders, especially in patients with cluster C disorders.

Aims: To compare the effectiveness of brief dynamic therapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy as out-patient treatment for people with avoidant personality disorder.

Method: Patients who met the criteria for avoidant personality disorder (n=62) were randomly assigned to 20 weekly sessions of either brief dynamic therapy (n = 23) or cognitive-behavioural therapy (n=21), or they were assigned to the waiting-list control group (n = 18). After the waiting period, patients in the control group were randomly assigned to one of the two therapies.

Results: Patients who received cognitive-behavioural therapy showed significantly more improvements on a number of measures in comparison with those who had brief dynamic psychotherapy or were in the waiting-list control group. Results were maintained at follow-up.

Conclusions: Cognitive-behavioural therapy is more effective than waiting-list control and brief dynamic therapy. Brief dynamic therapy was no better than the waiting-list control condition.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Personality Disorders / therapy*
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychotherapy, Brief / methods*
  • Treatment Outcome