Psychological Features of Patients with Comorbid Recurrent Affective and Panic Disorder

Abstract

The paper presents data from the examination of 54 patients with combined mental pa-thology. The main group (MG) included 27 patients with comorbid recurrent affective and panic disorders. Patients (27 people) in the control group (CG) were diagnosed with inde-pendent affective disorder. The clinical and psychological parameters of the patients’ personal sphere in the main and control groups were studied and analyzed. The trait profile of patients with MG is represented by disharmonious manifestations and significant peak rise in the scales: “hypochondria”, “depression” and “psychasthenia”. According to the analysis conducted, the following personality characteristics were marked in patients with a combined variant of recurrent affective and panic disorders: inert thinking style, insecurity, high sensitivity, impressionability, dependence on the surroundig people’s opinion, suspiciousness, caution, discretion, high moral exactingness towards oneself and others, conscientiousness, comfort and diligence, unsociability, secrecy and isolation. Besides, the relationship between personal characteristics and choice of protective and coping behavior in patients MG and CG was determined as part of the study. To reduce the discomfort caused by a stressful situation, the patients with MG used the following coping mechanisms: “escape-avoidance” and “acceptance of commitment”. In order to resolve inner experiences patients with a combined variant of recurrent affective and panic disorders use destructive mechanisms of personality psychological defense by the type “denial”, “suppression”, “regression” and “compensation”. As part of the study conducted, the main psychocorrective targets were identified, includ-ing the components of defensive-coping patients’ behavior that showed manifestations of recurrent affective and panic disorders. The results obtained can be taken into account when developing a psychotherapeutic program aimed at harmonizing the personal profile of pa-tients. In the course of psychotherapeutic correction, it is advisable to use methods of the cognitive-behavioral direction, relaxation techniques and breathing exercises. The obtained results can be taken into account when developing a psychotherapeutic pro-gram aimed at harmonization of the patients’ personal profile. In the course of psychothera-peutic correction, the use of cognitive-behavioral methods, relaxation techniques and breathing exercises is advisable.