The outcome of neurotic disorders after out-patient and day hospital care

Abstract

New psychiatric out-patients with depressive, phobic, and anxiety neurosis were randomly allocated to out-patient care or to one of two types of day hospital treatment, one specialising in psychotherapy and the other offering all forms of day care. Of 106 patients who entered the study, 78 had assessments of psychiatric symptomatology and social adjustment both before treatment and after 4, 8 and 24 months. There was no significant difference in outcome between depressive, phobic, and anxiety neurosis, and no overall difference in response to treatment between the three types of care. Suicidal symptoms were significantly less common in out-patients. In many respects, neurotic disorder can be regarded as a single syndrome.