Vivid Visualization in the Experience of Phobia in Virtual Environments: Preliminary Results

We explored the effect of being able to form vivid mental images on the experience of phobia during exposure treatment in virtual environments. Taking subjects with acrophobia, we randomized them to two treatment groups: in vivo exposure treatment in a real building versus virtual exposure in a model of the same building, projected in a CAVE™ Virtual Environment. Using Marks' Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ-2) as a measure of vividness of visual imagery, we performed Pearson correlations of vividness with amount of fear experienced as measured by Pekala's Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI). Contrary to expectation, we found a negative correlation between vividness of visualization and amount of fear experienced during exposure (R =- 0.77728, p = 0.0137). There was a positive correlation between fear and vividness of visualization during the exposure experience as measured by the PCI (R = 0.94083, p = 0.0171). These results are discussed in terms of possible differences between the VVIQ and PCI vividness measures as well as possible effects from the subject's experience.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/63186/1/10949310050078742.pd

Are Women'S Parenting‐Specific Beliefs Associated With Depressive Symptoms In The Perinatal Period? Development Of The Rigidity Of Maternal Beliefs Scale

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/110632/1/da22280.pd

The relationship between obsessive-compulsive disorder and religious faith: Clinical characteristics and implications for treatment

This paper explores the relationship between religion and obsessive–compulsive dis- order (OCD), with particular interest in religion’s possible influence in the development of OCD and its impact on treatment outcome. The paper begins with a review of theoretical and research literatures concerning religious involvement, research evidence linking religious involvement and physical and mental health, and theoretical linkages supporting both positive and negative religious effects on health. Following this, we provide a general overview and description of OCD and information concerning the prevalence and incidence of religiously based OCD. Next, extant research linking religion and OCD is presented. Information relevant to the clinical treatment of OCD with religious content is discussed. Finally, practice implications for clinicians and clergy are provided.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/107413/1/2011-11166-001.pdfDescription of 2011-11166-001.pdf : Main articl

Phobic anxiety and panic anxiety: How do they differ?

Acute anxiety symptoms reported by 20 patients with simple phobia and 20 patients with panic disorder were compared. Panic anxiety symptomatology was commonly rated as more severe in its intensity than that reported by the simple phobics. The pattern of symptoms experienced by the two diagnostic groups shared only 30% of the variance in symptom rankings. These results suggest that there are both quantitative and qualitative differences between phobic and panic anxiety, and have a bearing on recent diagnostic and etiological formulations of the anxiety disorders.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/26865/1/0000430.pd

Alcohol abuse and the anxiety disorders: Evidence from the epidemiologic catchment area survey

This study examined the prevalence of alcohol abuse and/or dependence in a sample of patients with anxiety disorders gathered from the Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study. Prior research had indicated that anxiety disorders are prevalent among alcoholics and also that alcoholism is prevalent among samples of anxiety disorder patients. The sample included 2471 individuals who met a lifetime diagnosis of agoraphobia, panic disorder, agoraphobia with panic attacks, social phobia, simple phobia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. About 12% of these individuals met criteria for a lifetime history of alcohol abuse and/or dependence. Relative odds ratios were calculated for the risk of alcohol use disorder, correcting for the effects of site, age, race, and gender. Among those individuals with a history of both anxiety and alcoholism disorders, the highest risk of alcohol use disorder was found in the agoraphobia with panic group. Lowest risk was found among those with a single diagnosis of simple phobia or agoraphobia without panic attacks. Clinical implications of these results are discussed.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/29581/1/0000670.pd

ACT-Enhanced Behavior Therapy in Group Format for Trichotillomania: An Effectiveness Study

Background This study sought to investigate the effectiveness of group treatment for trichotillomania (TTM) in ordinary clinical settings. Treatment consisted of a combination of habit reversal training (HRT) and acceptance and commitment treatment (ACT). Both short- and long-term effects were explored, as well as individual change trajectories. Methods The sample consist of fifty-three patients with TTM. Treatment outcomes were evaluated at post-treatment and at one-year follow-up using self-report questionnaires (Massachusetts General Hospital Hair Pulling Scale, MGH-HS), structured clinical interviews (National Institute of Mental Health Trichotillomania Severity Scale, NIMH-TSS), and the Clinical Global Impression scale for TTM (CGI-TTM). Results Analyses by mixed models for repeated measurements yielded a statistically significant effect of time (p Conclusions ACT-enhanced behavior therapy in a group format seems efficient for reducing symptoms of trichotillomania

Is parental death a selective precursor to either panic disorder or agoraphobia? : A test of the separation anxiety hypothesis

In a controlled chart-review study of the separation anxiety hypothesis (SAH) of agoraphobia or panic disorder, the incidence of parental (maternal and paternal) deaths was recorded from the histories of 40 patients, each with panic disorder, agoraphobia, and a control group of simple phobics. The overall incidence of parental loss was low in all three groups, and there were no significant differences among them either in terms of the incidence of parental death or in patient ages at the time of parental death. It is concluded from these results and on a review of other studies on the SAH that the hypothesis is not well supported and should be abandoned in the DSM-IV.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/27537/1/0000581.pd

A comparison of trichotillomania and obsessive-compulsive disorder

The validity of conceptualizing trichotillomania (TCM) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as separate and distinct diagnoses was examined in a study of 20 patients with each disorder. A comparison of demographic, psychometric, and clinical features between the two groups revealed a number of statistically significant differences. Patients meeting the criteria for OCD scored higher on measures of psychiatric symptomatology including ratings of obsessions and compulsions, depression, interpersonal sensitivity, general anxiety, phobic anxiety, and psychoticism. Patients meeting the criteria for TCM reported an earlier age at onset than those with OCD. Stressors associated with onset were also significantly different between groups. These results support the validity of conceptualizing TCM and OCD as differing behavioral disorders.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44790/1/10862_2005_Article_BF02229301.pd

A standardized behavioral group treatment program for obsessive-compulsive disorder: preliminary outcomes

This paper provides outcome data about the efficacy of a behavioral group therapy program for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Thirty-six patients completed a 7-week outpatient treatment program which provides: (1) education about OCD and its treatment, (2) instruction in a cognitive and behavioral approach to the self-treatment of OCD and (3) guided behavioral treatment. Significant improvement in obsession, compulsion, and depression scores were observed at completion of the group and at 3 month follow-up. Significant improvement in obsessions and compulsions was observed for both patients taking anti-obsessional medications and those who did not.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/29633/1/0000722.pd

Benchmarked effectiveness of family and school involvement in group exposure therapy for adolescent anxiety disorder

Although cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for adolescents with anxiety disorders, the majority remain impaired following treatment. We developed a group CBT program (RISK) with high degrees of exposure practice and family and school involvement delivered in a community-based setting and investigated its effectiveness. The treatment involved adolescents (N = 90), with a primary diagnosis of anxiety disorder (82%) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (18%), and their families who received 38 hours of group treatment over 10 weeks. Diagnostic status and symptom severity were assessed at pre- and post-treatment, and a 12-month follow-up and benchmarked against previous effectiveness studies. Our results showed that, at post-treatment, the RISK-treatment was comparably effective as benchmarks on measures of diagnostic status, parent-rated measures, adolescent-rated measures, and clinician-rated measures. At 12-month follow-up all outcomes were superior to benchmarks, including the proportion of participants in remission (79.5%, 95% Highest Posterior Density Interval [74.7, 84.2]), indicating that the RISK-treatment enhanced effectiveness over time. The combination of group format, a high degree of exposure practice, and school and family involvement is a promising format for real-world settings that may help sustain and increase treatment effectiveness. Trial registered at helseforskning.etikkom.no (reg. nr. 2017/1367).publishedVersio