Efficacy of Short–Term Anxiety-Regulating Psychotherapy on Love Trauma Syndrome

authors:

avatar Mahmood Dehghani 1 , * , avatar Mohammad- Kazem Atef-Vahid 2 , avatar Banafsheh Gharaee 2

PhD student of Clinical Psychology, Mental Health Research Center and Tehran Psychiatric Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences. Shahid Mansoori Alley, Niayesh St, Sattarkhan Ave, Tehran, Iran
Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology, Mental Health Research Center and Tehran Psychiatric Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences: Vol.5, issue 2; 18-25
published online: December 31, 2011
article type: Original Article
received: September 19, 2010
revised: July 13, 2011
accepted: July 22, 2011

How To Cite Dehghani M, Atef-Vahid M K, Gharaee B. Efficacy of Short–Term Anxiety-Regulating Psychotherapy on Love Trauma Syndrome. Iran J Psychiatry Behav Sci. 2011;5(2): 18-25. 

Abstract

Objective: This study has been conducted to investigate the efficacy of short-term dynamic psychotherapy on Love Trauma Syndrome (LTS) in female students. LTS includes a constellation of intensive signs and symptoms which appear following the breakdown of a romantic relationship after a long time. It interrupts person's function in many areas (academic, social or professional) and leads to maladaptive reactions.
Methods: This study was a multiple baseline single-case experimental study. The sample included five cases who were selected based on purposeful sampling procedure. The intervention was conducted based on McCullough's manual for short-term dynamic psychotherapy. In general, the study consisted of three stages including the baseline evaluation, the intervention period, and follow-up. The instruments included the Love Trauma Inventory (LTI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Global Assessment Function (GAF) of DSM-IV and Millon Personality Inventory MCMI-II the data were analyzed using the clinical significance method and the recovery percent formula.
Results: All subjects who completed the treatment showed significant improvement in their symptoms including depression and general functioning.
Conclusion: It appears that McCullough's short term anxiety-regulating psychotherapy is effective in treating LTS.
Declaration of Interest: None.
Clinical trial registration: URL: 13Thttp://www.irct.ir/13T Unique identifier: IRCT 138903063996N2
Citation: Dehghani M, Atef-Vahid MK, Gharaee B. Efficacy of short–term anxiety-regulating psychotherapy on love trauma syndrome. Iran J Psychiatry Behav Sci 2011; 5(2): 18-25.

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