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. 2011 Fall;5(2):18-25.

Efficacy of short-term anxiety-regulating psychotherapy on love trauma syndrome

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

Efficacy of short-term anxiety-regulating psychotherapy on love trauma syndrome

Mahmood Dehghani et al. Iran J Psychiatry Behav Sci. 2011 Fall.

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.

Keywords: Depression; Love Trauma Syndrome; Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Love trauma inventory profile
Figure 2
Figure 2
BDI-II profile
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